MPs MAINTAIN 24-WEEK LIMIT ON ABORTION - HOWARTH

10.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st May 2008

Commenting on last night's vote in the House of Commons, David Howarth MP for Cambridge said:

"The result of the abortion vote was inevitable once it became clear that the medical evidence on survival rates showed no relevant change since the last time the issue was debated. I have always said that my vote would depend on the medical evidence and that is why a voted this time to retain the present 24 week limit.

"It is not a question of whether abortion is a good thing or not - every abortion is a tragedy. It is a question of what should be punished by law.

"I was also impressed by the evidence in the 'need for a father-figure' debate. Experts are absolutely clear that there is no difference in terms of the welfare, health and achievement of children between families with a father and mother and families with two mothers. To have passed the amendment would have been discriminatory and unfair and I am glad it lost."

ENDS