2669

House of Commons

Notices of Amendments

given on

Thursday 12th June 2008

Consideration of Bill

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Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords], As Amended

Amendment of the Abortion Act 1967; medical approval

Dr Evan Harris

Chris McCafferty

NC1

To move the following Clause:—

‘(1)	The Abortion Act 1967 (c.87) is amended as follows.

(2)	In section 1(1) omit from first “if” to end of paragraph (1) and insert—

“a registered medical practitioner is of the opinion, formed in good

faith—

(a)	that the pregnancy has not exceeded its twenty-fourth week and

that the termination would be carried out in accordance with the

conditions and principles of good medical practice, or

(b)	that one or more of the following grounds applies—

(i)	the termination is necessary to prevent grave permanent

injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant

woman; or

(ii)	the continuance of the pregnancy would involve risk to

the life of the pregnant woman, greater than if the

pregnancy were terminated; or

(iii)

there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it

would suffer from such physical or mental abnormalities

as to be seriously handicapped.” ’.

Amendment of the Abortion Act 1967: role of health care professionals

Frank Dobson

Dr Evan Harris

NC2

To move the following Clause:—

‘(1)	The Abortion Act 1967 (c.87) is amended as follows.

Notices of Amendments: 12th June 2008

2670

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords] continued

(2)	In section 1(1) for first “medical” substitute “health care”.

(3)	In section 6, after “them:—” insert

“ “registered health care practitioner” means a “registered medical

practitioner” as defined in Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978

(c.30) or a nurse or midwife registered in the register maintained under

article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001 by virtue of

qualifications in nursing or midwifery, as the case may be.” ’.

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Revised 13 June 2008