PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Abortion (5 September 2014)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will direct the General Medical Council to release papers relating to the pre-signing of abortion HSA1 certificates by doctors to the police for investigation under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and Perjury Act 1911.
Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)
Asked by:
Bob Blackman (Conservative)
Answer
The Department considers the pre-signing of forms without any consideration of information relating to the woman to be incompatible with the requirements of the Abortion Act.
The General Medical Council (GMC) is an independent statutory body, and the Secretary of State does not have any express legal powers to direct the GMC.
Answered by:
Jane Ellison (Conservative)
12 September 2014
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