In 2007, the House of Commons Science
and Technology Select Committee reviewed
scientific developments relating to abortion,
including abortion for fetal disability. Nearly
6 years later, this Commission was set up
specifically to review one particular aspect
of the Abortion Act 1967 – the provision that
allows abortion on the grounds of disability
up to birth (section 1(1)(d)) – in the light of the
Select Committee’s recommendations,1
the UK
Government’s ratification of the UN Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in
2009 and the passing of a significant piece
of legislation, the Equality Act 2010. Current
statistics suggest that a small number of
abortions are conducted on the grounds of
disability each year in England and Wales.