Government continues to sweep abortion issue under the carpet - HARRIS

10.59.32am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Jun 2006

In response to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's meeting at the Department of Health today, Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat Member of the Science and Technology Select Committee, who first called for a review of the abortion time limit said:

"The government can't keep sweeping this issue under the carpet - they will eventually have to allow a vote and pro-choice MPs like me would rather that vote was informed by scientific evidence, on viability and the impacts on some women of any reduction in the time limit.

"At the same time there is also a real need to see if access to early abortions can be made easier to reduce the number of late abortions."

Dr Harris originally called for a review of abortion time limits last year in July 2005 in a Westminster Hall Debate, the transcript of which can be read by following this link - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm050719/halltext/50719h02.htm#50719h02_head0