Precious Life has warned there is still a threat of the 1967 Abortion Act being extended to the province through the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill. Pro-abortion MPs in Westminster could still table amendments at the Report Stage of the Bill that would extend the Abortion Act.

The debate in the House of Commons on the HFE Bill, which began on Monday 12th May 2008, must pass through several stages. An expected amendment to extend the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland was not tabled at the 'Committee Stage' on 19th and 20th May. However, pro-lifers are now bracing themselves for an onslaught of anti-life amendments to be introduced at the 'Report Stage', possibly in early July. The pro-abortion lobby are pushing for abortion on demand; allowing abortions to be performed by nurses and midwives; the removal of the conscience clause (which protects the position of doctors, nurses and ancillary personnel who do not wish to be involved in abortion); and the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland.

Director of Precious Life Bernadette Smyth, who was in the House of Commons during the Committee Stage of the HFE debate said, "After speaking with some of our local MPs, I'm still very concerned about the abortion threat to Northern Ireland. We're not out of the woods yet."

She added, "There is a large pro-abortion majority in Westminster. They voted against lowering the time limit for abortion and voted to allow the creation and destruction of animal/human embryos This shows that they have no respect for the dignity and sanctity of human life and could vote to extend the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland if such an amendment is tabled at the Report Stage."

Bernadette Smyth concluded "We must continue to lobby the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Our people, our politicians and our church leaders are united in their opposition to the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act. Our Assembly has already voted against abortion. This is the time to increase our efforts to ensure Westminster respects the pro-life ethos and democratic process in Northern Ireland."