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XCR(77)277
(c)
(d)
(e)
(£)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
6
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There should be no change in the law governing abortion on medical grounds.
Abortion should not be adopted as a means of population control and should not be available on request.
The law should provide for pregnancy caused by rape or incest to be terminated, if the victim reports to the Police within 3 months of the offence.
There should not be any special provision for girls under 16 to have abortions; adequate counselling should be provided for them.
Abortion should be legalised for pregnancies that involve a substantial risk of deformity in the foetus.
There should be a time limit for abortion. Preg- nancies beyond a certain time should not be terminated, except to save the life of the pregnant woman. The exact stage of pregnancy should be determined with due regard to medical advice.
A doctor having a conscientious objection to abortion should be given adequate protection by providing in the legislation that the burden of proof may be dis- charged by such person testifying on oath, or affirming, that he has a conscientious objection to abortion.
There should not be special clinics dealing only with abortions. Arrangements should be made within the Medical and Health Department to enable these cases to be seen at the Maternal and Child Health Centres.
The majority of the Working Party has also proposed
(k)
The law should be amended to enable women over 40 to obtain abortions at their own request.
G.S. 84
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