MPs have voted to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales
The 1967 Abortion Act did not decriminalise abortion, but rather made it legal if two doctors approve the procedure
By Siobhan Fenton Social Affairs Correspondent
March 13, 2017
MPs have backed a bill by 172 votes in favour, versus 142 against.
The bill, which was introduced as a Ten-Minute rule bill, will now go to a second reading on 24th March, before it can be passed into law.
In 1967, the Abortion Act was passed which made terminations legal subject to doctors' approval and if a pregnant person can prove they meet predetermined criteria.
However, critics say the law does not go far enough as people who do not meet these conditions who have an abortion are committing a criminal offence.
Continued at source: The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/abortion-decriminalisation-england-wales-mps-debate-parliament-a7627421.html