Government Clears the Air on Abortion

Minister of Health and the Environment, Honourable Rudyard Spencer, has clarified the Government’s position on abortion, following claims by religious and civic groups that the Government was moving to legalise the controversial medical practise.
At a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister this afternoon, Minister Spencer said the Government was neither for nor against abortion, but was acting merely as a facilitator, to encourage wider debate around the issue.
He described as discouraging, claims by religious groups that a Bill was being fast tracked through Parliament to make abortion legal.
“There is absolutely no Bill on abortion before the House. What we have is the report from a committee that was established to look into the issue and to make recommendations to Parliament. Before the matter is taken to the House for a conscience vote, we want all the groups who want to have a say to come before the Committee and make their input. We want wide consultation and debate on this issue and we want to include as many people as possible.”
Minister Spencer said the report had been commissioned in 2005 and the new Government was treating the matter seriously in moving the discussion forward.
The Minister was accompanied at the press conference by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester.