The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has said that the Government has no plans to change the law on abortion, but that there will be a free vote on this issue if the opportunity arises.
Downing Street’s official spokesman said the Prime Minister “had always made clear that we should be guided by the best medical advice”, Mr Brown referred to the British Medical Association and The Royal College of Obstetricians, neither of whom are “pressing for a review of this area”.
He said that it was “accepted Parliamentary practice that proposals for changes in the law on abortion were made on the basis of free votes”.
The statement from Downing Street followed comments from David Cameron stating his intention to vote for a reduction in the abortion time limit if amendments to the law are tabled.
Although no amendments have been tabled yet, it is expected that attempts will be made to change the law when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill progresses through the Commons.