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Response

Following the Information Commissioner’s Decision Notice FS50069392 of 18 March 2008, the Department has reviewed the case and concluded that in this particular case, it is unlikely to be possible to identify individuals from this data in conjunction with other previously published data, even though a figure of less than 10 can be deduced. A copy of the relevant data is attached below.

The Department wishes to make clear that we have agreed to release these particular data only, and will not be releasing these statistics generally for other years or other statistics that reveal similarly small numbers. We have requested that the Office of National Statistics review the guidelines on disclosure of small numbers in abortion statistics in light of the decision of the Information Commissioner, but unless and until the National Statistician advises otherwise, we will continue to uphold the existing guidelines. This means we will only consider releasing data that reveal a sensitive variable that is less than 10 if instructed by the Information Commissioner, and on a case by case basis.

• Download statistics of abortions for ages 11, 12 & 13, residents, England and Wales, 2003 & 2004 (PDF, 10K)