Family planning Association

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 12

Family planning Association

Sir, — Up till now, the Government and public opinion accepted the assumption that subsidising family planning would decrease teen-age pregnancies, abortions, venerel disease etc. As if it w’ere a doctrine of secular religion. Unfortunately for this doctrine, these have increased. The Family Planning Association in 1977 adopted an official abortion on request policy, that any abortion performed by a doctor before 12 weeks gestation should be legal. It provides abortion referrals. Not counting free contraceptives the F.P.A.’s grant ,of $.3 million last year was equal to a subsidy of $10.40 each patient visit. (The general medical services benefit for adults is $1.25. The 129,000 patients paid fees averaging's4 each.) The F.P.A., by the same token, is costing the taxpayer twice as much if it encourages into Sexual activity teen-agers who become pregnant. . Mr Malcolm’s quite reasonable scrutiny challenges the F.P.A. to prove its worth. To justify its claims from the public purse, it will have to clothe itself in better arguments. — Yours, etc., (MRS) M. E. MYERS. August 5, 1982.