Ruling on Abortion - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament

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Early Day Motions

As this motion is using historical data, we may not have the record of the original ordering, in which case signatories are listed alphabetically.

Motion text

That this House applauds the ruling by Mr Justice Brooke that the abortion of a handicapped boy of 27 weeks' gestation would have been illegal; welcomes the long-overdue clarification he has provided of the Infant Preservation Act 1929; notes that the learned Judge rules that the words, 'capable of being born alive', meant that a child is capable of existing independently of its mother, if only for a short time; notes that this description would have applied to the Carlisle baby, who survived for three hours at 21 weeks' gestation; and concludes that under the terms of the learned Judge's ruling thousands of late abortions in this country are illegal under the terms of the Infant Life Preservation Act 1929.

Signatures (51)

Supporters (50)
Withdrawn signatures (1)

The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.

Widdecombe, Miss Ann

6 February 1990

Alison, Michael

13 February 1990

Liberal Democrat

6 February 1990

Liverpool, Mossley Hill

7 February 1990

Arnold, Mr Jacques

15 February 1990

Atkinson, Mr David

Bournemouth East

In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.

Bellingham, Mr Henry

28 February 1990

North West Norfolk

Bendall, Mr Vivian

12 February 1990

Benyon, Sir William

9 February 1990

Braine, Sir Bernard

6 February 1990

Brazier, Mr Julian

15 February 1990

Cash, Mr William

14 February 1990

Churchill, Winston

27 February 1990

15 February 1990

8 February 1990

Duffy, Sir Patrick

7 February 1990

Sheffield, Attercliffe

Evennett, Mr David

8 February 1990

Erith and Crayford

Fenner, Dame Peggy

8 February 1990

Fookes, Dame Janet

16 February 1990

Plymouth, Drake

Greenway, Harry

21 February 1990

Griffiths, Peter

14 February 1990

Portsmouth North

Hargreaves, Kenneth

6 February 1990

Hicks, Mrs Maureen

16 February 1990

Wolverhampton North East

15 February 1990

West Lancashire

15 February 1990

Social Democratic & Labour Party

8 February 1990

19 February 1990

Knapman, Mr Roger

16 February 1990

Knight, Dame Jill

15 February 1990

Birmingham, Edgbaston

Leigh, Mr Edward

6 February 1990

Gainsborough and Horncastle

Malins, Mr Humfrey

6 February 1990

Croydon North West

Mallon, Mr Seamus

Social Democratic & Labour Party

14 February 1990

Newry and Armagh

McAvoy, Mr Thomas

8 February 1990

Glasgow, Rutherglen

McCrea, Rev Dr William

Democratic Unionist Party

16 February 1990

McNair-Wilson, Sir Michael

Montgomery, Sir Fergus

16 February 1990

Altrincham and Sale

12 February 1990

Falmouth and Camborne

8 February 1990

Paisley, The Reverend Ian

Democratic Unionist Party

16 February 1990

8 February 1990

Rugby and Kenilworth

Powell, William

13 February 1990

Roe, Mrs Marion

16 February 1990

Ross, Mr William

Ulster Unionist Party

15 February 1990

East Londonderry

Shelton, Sir William

16 February 1990

Smyth, The Rev Martin

Ulster Unionist Party

8 February 1990

Thorne, Sir Neil

7 February 1990

15 February 1990

6 February 1990

Winterton, Sir Nicholas

6 February 1990

These members had previously signed the motion, but have now withdrawn their support. The date shown is when the Member withdrew their signature from the motion.

13 February 1990