ONE of the anti-choice lobby's favourite claims is that liberalising abortion law in Britain has led to a rise in abortion. This is repeated by David Alton.
Writing in one of his local newspapers on 8 OcTober ABILOD S210l that since the 1967 Act: 'nearly LINCE million dool LIOns have been undertaken and with more than: 170,000 abortions last . year, the trend is moving inexorably upwards. The backstreet has moved to the shop window and we have lost sight of the main objecwive sune rencon in the total level of aborLOLIS lega. Ical.
The main purpose of enacting legislation like the 1967 Act cannot be to reduce abortions. Information about, the availability of, safe and effective contraceptive methods the 1culau 'primary mechanism for 'reducing unwanted pregnancies.
Rather the '67 Act enabortions been wildniave a was procured regardless of what the law says • WCIC carried out in safe conditions. Between 1952-54, 110 deaths from abortion Charlotte 3919 or Meryl on 603 1438; Haringey, Jane 7714: Harrow, Sue on 863 3 2294; Hillingdon, bëoe dn nika on 01-573 9461 or Helen 0896 55700 Hounslow, 1205; Islington, LuCy Ull Liz on 263 9545 or Jude on 0128; Kensington Chelsea, Irene on 960 Lamoei. carol ol • UZO.
Illiette on Joan on 582 2955; Lewisham, Jane on 29. 2907; Ius well Lucy Alison on 472 6652 or Sarah on 472 1430 ext 2336; lower Mamiels, Laro on yoo 7513/981 1131 or Hilary 3938 Bethnal Green, Dave on 521 5591/739 5088 LSE, Amanda on 607 0178.
Scotland Kyle on 0292 268 284; A Vr.
Dundee Eileen 0382 Edinburgh, Susan on us-so rulo. ulestow. kon nie on 041-332 4946.
Wales Cardiff, wonen's centre on 0222 383024 or Andrew on 0222 398567 or Coleen Gla ozy wewsori. sey on 0633 51479; South samorgan, ULLA Swansea, Kay on 0792 460087 or Marge on 0792 290448. were recorded, compared with only between 1983-85.
However, even in Alton's his OWl Lerms, claim simply doesn't hold UU. Britan in tact has a relatively low rate of abortion England and Wales has an abortion rate of 12.6 per 1000 women of child-bearing age. Scotland, where abortion laws alc more liberal (although in England Birmingham, Jane on 021-443 2184 or Ruth on 021-472 1841 ext Women's Centre on 0204 690 673; Bradford, . Abigail on 0274 814392 University Or 734135; Brighton, Nomen's Office Josephine ULI4 on 0273 699 593 or Student Officer 0273. 678555; arsol. 'Wel Centre on Ann on 0272 266 eins 571; Cambridge, 3 Hawkins 313675/61475; Exeter, Mary or Zoe on 0392 210468/263546; Hull, Sue on 0482 219552; Leeds, Universion 0532 439071 or Rachel Us3 141100 or Helen or 0532 446838; Leicester, Debon 0533 532111; Liverpool, Linda 051-733 5166/709 5566 ext Newcastle, Jackie on 091-26 Norwich, Centre on 0603 628130: Not. inza, oxford, Julie on obd Alison 0602 244983; Plymouth, Helen Kate on 0752 665994/266182; Sheffield, Emma or Sue on 0742 735028; Southampton, Adrienne on 0703 832391 or Julie on 0703 786235; Stockport, Shelagh 061-429 6359; Chris on 0783 5677495; Wigan, Lesley on 0942 57096; practice doctors tend follow the guidelines England and Wales), ha: one of the lowest abortion rates in the world: 7.6 per 1000 This compares with a rate of 26.9 in the USA. Other countries Western Europe have the Italy and Sweden each 19, Norway 16, France 15 Finland 13 and West Ger. many 8.
Wirral, Jane on 051-645 9395; TOCK. Jule or Sam on 0904 34952/413252 A b!l list is available from to for in protest.
Particularly strong searching. • Organisations and individuals opposed to strin-searching art invited to attend the meeting. They should contact the LSPU on 01-630 5729 for further information.
* Rally Central Hall, Westminster. 130pm-6pm * Lobby of Parlament * Wornen's torchlight procession • 30pm assemble, 7omstart
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NO TO ALTON YES TO CHOICE