Abortion limit stays at 24 weeks

By Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Parliament voted on Tuesday to keep the upper legal limit on abortion at 24 weeks, disappointing campaigners who argue survival rates have improved.

The vote blocked attempts to lower the legal limit to 22, 20, 16 or 12 weeks in parliament's first look at abortion laws in almost two decades.

The upper limit was reduced from 28 weeks to 24 weeks in 1990. Britain legalised abortion in 1968.

Many European countries allow abortion on demand up to 12 or 13 weeks in to pregnancy, after which it is limited to cases where the baby or mother is at risk. Termination is legal up to 22 to 24 weeks in Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

For three hours, MPs passionately debated the right of women to choose versus the right of a foetus to live.

"While there have been medical advances in caring for premature babies, only a small number born after 24 weeks gestation can survive," health minister Dawn Primarolo told parliament, arguing for the status quo.

She said there was no scientific evidence showing a significant improvement in a baby's chance of survival at 24 weeks since the 1990 law.

Labour MP Julie Morgan said any move to reduce the upper limit was an attack on abortion and the right to choose.