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Written question asked by Diana Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 June 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 June 2018. It was answered by Karen Bradley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 June 2018 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.


Offences against the Person Act 1861: Northern Ireland

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether she will exercise her power under section 26(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to repeal sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 in order to comply with the UK's international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Answer

The Government has no plans to amend the law on abortion in either England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

Abortion has always been a devolved matter in Northern Ireland. The Government's priority is therefore restoring devolved government, so that the people of Northern Ireland, and locally elected representatives, can decide what is right for Northern Ireland.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
155724
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Women Discrimination Northern Ireland Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Legislation
Northern Ireland Act 1998
Offences against the Person Act 1861
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk