division_name: Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations)
motion: <p class="indent" pid="e26.1/2" pwmotiontext="yes">That leave be given to bring in a Bill to regulate the termination of pregnancies by medical practitioners and to repeal certain criminal offences relating to such terminations; and for connected purposes.</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="e26.1/6" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;I live in rural England and have no friends and the relatives I have I am not close to. I was hoping to have a termination in the comfort of my own home without judgmental eyes and without worrying about my husband knowing. I fear what would happen if he did. I have 3 children and my 3rd is 11 months old. I considered an abortion when he was conceived and had a terrible pregnancy and am still suffering from post natal depression. I will try to seek help, anonymously if possible. I&#8217;m in great need of help.&#8221;</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="e26.1/8" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;I have visited my GP last week and he referred me to my local NHS service. They can only offer me a medical abortion with three visits to the hospital on separate days. On the second visit I am expected to stay there all day. I work full time and have two young sons so getting all that time off and childcare is going to be very difficult, probably impossible.&#8221;</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="e26.1/10" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;Yes, we get them all the time. We had an Islamic girl forbidden from leaving the house without a chaperone. How is she going to get to an abortion clinic? She can&#8217;t. For her, her only option might be that she could get the medicine sent to her by post.&#8221;</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="e26.1/20" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;a profound shift in the relationship between the state and its female citizens. It changes both nothing and everything. Nothing, because the number, rate and incidence of abortion will not change. And everything, because for the first time women will be recognised as the authors of our own lives. With that comes our full citizenship.&#8221;</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="e29.1/7" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;if section 58 were to be repealed, it is far from obvious that even the surreptitious administration of abortion pills to women would necessarily continue to constitute an offence.&#8221;</p>
  
  <p class="indent" pid="e29.1/9" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;a haven for parents who would terminate female fetuses in favour of having sons&#8221;.</p>
  
  <p class="italic" pid="e29.1/15" pwmotiontext="yes">The House divided:</p>
  
  <p pid="e29.1/16" pwmotiontext="yes">Ayes 172, Noes 142.</p>