Abortion boom
Sir: I can't think why Madeleine Simms (Letters, 7 March) has worked herself up into such a paddy about my article on abortion. It must be obvious that I am not hostile to abor- tion law reform as such. I simply made the point that there has been a very considerable increase in the number of abortions since the Act was passed; also that, as the Act is drafted, it is being interpreted in some quarters as abortion on demand, a result not intended by its sponsors. However one interprets the figures, these two salient facts remain. They cannot be disposed of by making irrelevant assaults on Mr St John-Stevas or the General Medical Council.
I believe it is possible to take a progressive approach to this question without believing that the present Act should be defended, come hell or high water. It is surely too important to be treated on a level of emotional partisanship. As for the last sentence of Mrs Simms's letter, such a gross lapse of taste defies comment. Does she really think this is the way to attract support for her Association?
John Rowan Wilson 32 South Easton Place, London SWI
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