Abortion (Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Clubfoot) Bill 2019-21

Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the Abortion (Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Clubfoot) Bill 2019-21 and the related campaign by Right to Life.

Abortion is a sensitive and emotive issue and I respect that there are strongly held views on all sides of the debate.

The Abortion Act 1967 provides the legal framework for abortions to be performed in England, Scotland and Wales. As you may be aware, the Scotland Act 2016 devolved powers over abortion law to the Scottish
Parliament. The UK Parliament retains the power to modify abortion laws as they apply in England and Wales only.

The decision to terminate a pregnancy must rest on the judgement of two doctors, who have to be of one and the same opinion that an abortion meets one of the grounds set out in the Act, and the woman herself,
who must be given enough information and time to help her understand the process so that she can make an informed decision about the options available.

The UK Government maintains that when a foetal abnormality is detected or suspected, women and their partners should receive appropriate information and support from a properly trained multidisciplinary
team - who must adopt a supportive and non-judgemental approach regardless of whether the decision is to terminate or continue the pregnancy.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has published guidance on 'Termination of Pregnancy for Foetal Abnormality in England, Scotland and Wales' to assist doctors and other health professionals to support women and their families when a foetal abnormality is diagnosed and
to help women to decide, within the bounds of the law, whether or not to have an abortion. It is designed to be explanatory rather than prescriptive and does not purport to give ethical guidance.

The Abortion (Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate and Clubfoot) Bill 2019-21 is a Private Members' Bill that was presented to Parliament on 3 June 2020. No date has been announced for the Bill's Second Reading debate. While
only a minority of Private Members' Bills become law, they do present an opportunity for individual MPs to raise issues.

As your elected representative in Parliament I will continue to bear in mind the points you have raised and follow any developments in this area closely.

Thank you once again for contacting me.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP