MHK to ask for abortion bill to be referred to committee

Thu, 25 Jan 2018

Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw

An MHK will ask for the Abortion Reform Bill to be referred to a committee at next week's sitting of the House of Keys.

Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw wants a five-member committee to take written and oral evidence and report back to the House by June if the Bill passes its second reading at Tuesday's sitting.

Dr Alex Allinson's private members bill would allow more women to undergo abortions without having to travel to the UK, as well as giving women access to counselling before and after a termination.

Mr Robertshaw was one of three MHKs to vote against allowing Dr Allinson to draft the bill last January.