PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Abortion (25 May 2016)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his policy is on conscientious objection for midwives asked to (a) advise on and (b) participate in abortions.
Asked by:
Rachael Maskell (Labour)
Asked by:
Rachael Maskell (Labour)
Answer
Section 4 of the Abortion Act provides that “no person shall be under any duty, whether by contract or by any statutory or other legal requirement, to participate in any treatment authorised by this Act to which he has a conscientious objection”. In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that this is limited to those staff who actually take part in treatment administered in a hospital or other approved place and does not include ancillary, administrative and managerial tasks that might be associated with treatment.
Answered by:
Jane Ellison (Conservative)
7 June 2016
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