Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Contraception and Abortion (Parental Information Bill)

Angela Watkinson, Conservative MP for Upminster, presented a 10-minute rule Bill to the Commons today, demanding that doctors inform parents if an under-age child has an abortion. She argues that a rethink on current guidance is needed following a Unicef report which found that 40 per cent of UK children aged under 15 are sexually active. The Contraception and Abortion (Parental Information) Bill also calls for an overhaul of sex education in schools, which Watkinson claims has become little more than 'sex information' with advice on how to get contraceptives.

The Bill will give doctors the right to keep sexual health issues confidential if there is abuse or violence in the family.

Anne Weyman, Chief Executive of fpa, said that such a change in the law would discourage young people from seeking advice on pregnancy, contraception and sexual health. Coverage about this appears in todays Express, Independent and Telegraph today.

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