Scots want abortion debate

The devolution of abortion law to Scotland has prompted calls for a full-scale parliamentary debate at Holyrood, writes Brian Morton.

David Mundell, Scottish Secretary at Westminster, confirmed last week that devolution would take place, even though it had been removed from the final draft of the Smith recommendations on devolved and retained powers.

Dr Stuart Weir, national director for the Christian advocacy group CARE in Scotland, said that the move should be welcomed as an opportunity to debate abortion law at Holyrood for the first time. He said that former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had apparently supported a reduction in the current time limit of 24 weeks, as had former Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil.