A BURY pro-life group is urging people to challenge the Government over a controversial proposal to change the Abortion Act.

At the latest meeting of the Bury branch of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children concern was expressed at the media coverage surrounding Lord Steel's plans which call for abortion on demand for up to 12 weeks.

Members heard the proposal constitutes a dramatic change in the law as abortion on demand is not permitted under the 1967 Abortion Act except on the grounds of a serious threat to the mother's health. However, Bury SPUC said other Lord Steel proposals would be encouraging. These include the reduction to the upper time limit for abortions which is at present 24 weeks, together with the removal of abortion up to birth which is available for seriously handicapped babies.

The meeting heard that the Government's attitude for present legislation "allowed a mother to kill her child in the womb but will shortly outlaw her smacking her children".

The society believes that any changes are likely to lessen the unborn child's right to protection. They want people to challenge the Government and to get involved in the debate.