Paul Tully, SPUC general secretary, told the media earlier today:
“Mrs Dorries’ proposals were aimed at ending the abhorrent situation where abortion providers give a woman counselling and then abort her baby, and charge the NHS for both services. This was a laudable aim. But by adopting a ‘pro-choice’ position Mrs Dorries confused pro-life MPs and maddened pro-abortion ones. And she has created an opportunity which pro-abortion health officials will seek to exploit to promote more abortions.”Comments on this blog? Email them to johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk
Speaking for the government in the debate, Mrs Anne Milton, Minister of State for public health, urged MPs to oppose the amendment and supported abortion as a woman’s choice. She said that regulations for abortion counselling would be prepared. She made no reference to the current legal restrictions on abortion.
Mr Tully continued: “This bears out the fears expressed before the debate by SPUC that Department of Health officials will be given the opportunity to draft regulations. The Department’s officials have a long track-record of promoting a radical pro-abortion interpretation of the law. We fear that they may now try to ban pro-life agencies offering pregnancy counselling that can help women avoid unwanted abortions.
“As a priority we must urge Parliamentarians to put pressure on the Minister to ensure that pro-life doctors, nurses and counsellors remain free to act according to their consciences. The abuse of women by abortion-providers must also be dealt with, but the approach must be politically astute and morally sound."
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