MPs debate abortion and father's role

Last Modified: 20 May 2008
By: Gary Gibbon

MPs vote this evening on two major issues: a reduction in the legal limit for abortions, and the role of the father in a family.

In the first full vote on abortion for almost two decades, MPs will decide whether to reduce the legal limit from 24 weeks, to 22, or even less.

It is a free vote, so MPs can go with their consciences. Gordon Brown has already strongly defended the current limit, although the Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to back an amendment reducing it by two, perhaps four weeks.

The debate starts at any moment. But MPs are deciding now whether families should have a male role model before getting fertility treatment.

First vote result

In the result of the first vote the government has defeated a cross party bid to underline the need for a father in fertility treatment by 292 votes to 217, that's a majority of 75.