The Health Secretary, Frank Dobson, has said he would back a liberalisation in the laws governing abortion.

Frank Dobson tells the BBC's Today programme his views on abortion (1'34")

He said his personal opinion was to support a change allowing young women to have terminations without the agreement of two doctors.

"My view is that if there were to be changes in the abortion law, the one I would most support would be some relaxation of the controls in the early few months of pregnancy so that young women in particular, but women in general, would find it easier to get an early abortion.

"I am not suggesting any relaxation of the rules and the requirement for two doctors to be involved in the later stages," he told BBC radio.

The Department of Health stressed Mr Dobson's view does not represent a change in government policy.

But the Conservative MP, Ann Widdecombe, said Mr Dobson's proposals would lead to "abortion on demand."

Frank Dobson believes relaxing controls would reduce late-term abortions

She said: "It sends a signal that it is a further disregard for human life in the womb."

A Secretary of State could not make comments about an issue for which his department is responsible and claim it was just a personal view, she added.

A Labour MP, Kevin McNamara, also attacked Mr Dobson's remarks.

He said that at the time abortions were first allowed, those opposed to terminations were "supposed to be placated by the protection of two doctors to prevent frivolous abortions."

He added: "That major safeguard seems to be going."

As did Mr Dobson, he pointed out the cabinet does not have a collective view on abortion.

Mr McNamara added: "It's not right for cabinet ministers to try to introduce personal policies and make it into government policy."

Anne Furedi of the Birth Control Trust and Brendan Gerard of SPUC debate the issues (3'14")

The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child said a change in the abortion law could be part a government's plan to cut spending on benefits for parents.

"The government sees abortion as a cheaper option than helping mothers," a spokesperson said.

"The law as it stands provides very little protection for the unborn child. Doctors can practice abortion on demand with impunity."

However, the Family Planning Association said a relaxation of the law would bring Britain into line with other European countries.

Another pro-choice group, the Birth Control Trust, said it hoped the controversy around Mr Dobson's comments would spur MPs to put forward a Bill to make such changes.

Director Ann Furedi said: "Any Bill to bring this about would have overwhelming public support.

"Recent polls show that more than two-thirds of people agree that abortion should be available for all those who want it."

She added: "Our current abortion law is 30 years old and out of date. A liberalisation of the British abortion law is long overdue. Britain is one of the few developed countries that does not have a law allowing abortion on request in early pregnancy."
 

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