PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Abortion: Northern Ireland (27 June 2017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on which dates his Department consulted (a) the Northern Ireland Assembly and (b) representatives of Northern Irish political parties on the duties of the NHS in providing access to abortion services in England and Wales for women normally resident in Northern Ireland.

Asked by:
Ms Stella Creasy (Labour)

There have been no consultations with the Northern Irish Assembly or the representatives of Northern Irish political parties on the provision of abortion services in England and Wales for women ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland.

The Supreme Court has recently confirmed that the Government has no duty to fund abortions for these women, given the devolved nature of the health system. However, the Government announced on 29 June that it would exercise its discretion in this area and fund abortions for women travelling from Northern Ireland to make use of services in England.

Answered by:
Dame Jackie Doyle-Price (Conservative)
3 July 2017