Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Abortions based on child's gender set to be banned by MPs

The Independent revealed in January that up to 4,700 female children 'disappeared' from national census records

Ian Johnston
Monday 03 November 2014 11:36 GMT
Comments
MPs will tomorrow discuss a Bill which would state categorically that the 1967 Abortion Act does not permit abortions based on gender
MPs will tomorrow discuss a Bill which would state categorically that the 1967 Abortion Act does not permit abortions based on gender (Science Photo Library)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Abortions carried out on the basis of the unborn child’s gender look set to be banned by MPs tomorrow.

In January, The Independent revealed that between 1,400-4,700 female children seemed to have “disappeared” from the national census records in England and Wales and that the natural 50:50 balance of boys and girls in some immigrant communities had started to be affected.

MPs will tomorrow discuss a Bill which would state categorically that the 1967 Abortion Act does not permit abortions based on gender in the expectation that this will enable prosecutions to take place.

Fiona Bruce, the Conservative MP who tabled the Bill, told The Sunday Telegraph that she expected there would be “huge” support for the idea in the Commons.

“This isn’t seeking to change the law. We are only seeking to clarify it,” she said, adding: “I can say quite confidently, from the support I’ve had on this proposed Bill, that my view is shared by a huge number of my colleagues here. And that’s right across the political spectrum ... some of the women who are supporting my Bill you would consider would be diametrically opposed to me on many issues relating to women. On this one they are standing full-square with me.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in