ABORTIONS AND V.D.
Contraceptive proposal
(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, Oct 29
The British Government is considering providing free Contraceptives to everyone, because of sharp increases in pregnancies and abortions among young girls, and because of the increase in venereal disease.
A draft law providing free vasectomy (male sterilisation) awaits formal Royal Assent, after passing through both Houses of Parliament, and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Sir Keith Joseph) told the Commons yesterday that he expected to make a statement soon on extending existing birth-control services.
The first stage might well be to grant more money, to allow the authorities to broaden free contraceptive and advice services, especially to the unmarried, he said. The Government is also being pressed to enable doctors to prescribe free contraceptives in addition to the birth-control advice they already give.
Abortions in England and Wales totalled 141,132 in the 12 months to March 31 of this year. This total compares with 33,598 in 1968-69, the first full year of Britain’s liberalised Abortion Act
Permanent link to this item
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 4
Word Count
171ABORTIONS AND V.D. Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33060, 30 October 1972, Page 4
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