Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Abortion Clinics: Buffer Zones

Monday 9 November 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve McCabe asked about the potential merits of introducing buffer zones around abortion clinics.
  • The Home Secretary noted that the right to protest is vital but no one should be harassed or intimidated.
  • The Home Secretary acknowledged the sensitive and complex nature of the issue and thanked Steve McCabe for raising his concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve McCabe Lab
Democracy & Elections
Context

No specific event or statistic mentioned, but the question addresses a policy issue related to protests outside abortion clinics.

Question

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing buffer zones around abortion clinics?

Answer from Priti Patel

The right to protest is a vital part of our democratic society, and no one should be harassed or intimidated at all. In 2018, the Government conducted a review of protests outside abortion clinics. This policy has been kept under review, and following recent engagement with the police and abortion service providers this year, we are considering whether more work should be done to protect those accessing or providing abortion services.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for an assessment of buffer zones was not directly addressed. Instead, a general statement about the importance of protest rights and ongoing review was given without concrete action or commitment.

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Q2 Steve McCabe Lab
Women & Equalities Religion & Faith
Context

A clinic on a quiet street in the MP's constituency has been plagued by protesters for over 12 months, affecting staff and patients.

Question

I thank the Home Secretary for her answer. A clinic on a quiet street in my constituency has been plagued by 40-day protesters for over 12 months. Staff, local residents, teenage girls on their way to school and patients are all having opinions, leaflets and scripture forced on them. This is a place that offers family planning, counselling for those who have suffered miscarriages and a host of other services as well as terminations. I call what is happening wholly unacceptable harassment. What does the Home Secretary think?

Answer from Priti Patel

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this important matter. This is a sensitive and complex issue—no question about that whatsoever—and I am really grateful to him for raising his concerns. He is not alone on this; I have spoken to many other Members of Parliament about this, too. He is right to say that harassment and intimidation are utterly unacceptable. Important services and advice are being provided. I can reassure him and say to the whole House that we are reviewing our work and policies on this important issue, and I think that that is absolutely right and proper.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask was not directly addressed. Instead of a concrete commitment or action plan, the Home Secretary acknowledged the complexity of the issue and mentioned ongoing reviews without specifying any immediate steps.

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