The Abortion Act was passed in 1967. It did not legalise abortions, but provided a legal defence for those carrying them out under certain conditions, including the risk that continuing with the pregnancy would be more damaging to the physical or mental health of the woman than ending it.

But pro-life campaigners say with the number of abortions now about 200,000 a year, it is effectively available on demand, something the 1967 law never intended. They are angered by the number of women who have several abortions, suspecting that they use it as a form of contraception. By making it more difficult for women to obtain abortions, more would take proper precautions and fewer would end up with unwanted pregnancies. Pro-choice campaigners say women do not take these decisions lightly and many abortions are due to failed contraception.

Pro-lifers’ most recent campaign has focused on late abortions. They argued that with babies born at 22 weeks now surviving it cannot be right to allow abortions up to 24 weeks. However, they failed to persuade enough MPs to support them in a debate in May. The medical Establishment joined forces and called for the 24-week limit to be retained, arguing that viability below that had not really improved.

Next week other issues will come up for debate, involving doctors’ permission and where abortions are performed. Pro-life campaigners say abortion is not like any other medical procedure because another life is involved. Special rules, such as the need for two doctors’ signatures, is appropriate. They would also like to see a “cooling-off” period between the time a woman sees a doctor to arrange an abortion, and when the abortion is performed. They believe many women are shocked when they discover they are pregnant and rush into an abortion, only to regret it later.

A period of reflection with counselling could result in fewer going ahead. However, pro-choice campaigners say this is just another obstacle being placed in the way of women who want to end their pregnancy. Instead, they would like to see abortion available on request, with the drugs for early abortions available at family planning clinics.

Explore Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Law Reports

• Student Law

Times Recommends

• Linklaters trounces rivals as UK's biggest firm
• Clifford Chance profits plunge 37 per cent
• Casual drinkers hit by spread of 'dry' zones