Lord Alton asks the government difficult questions about abortion advertising

On 23rd January Lord David Alton, the indomitable parliamentary pro-life campaigner, put down several written questions in the House of Lords, challenging the government about the decision by the Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice to allow for-profit "post-conception services", including abortion, to be advertised on television. His questions, which must be answered by the government by 6th February, get right to the heart of the controversy over allowing something so serious as abortion to be trivialised by appearing on TV as just another consumer choice. 

The questions were as follows:

Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty's Government what information they have regarding the basis on which the decision was taken to allow for-profit organisations to advertise abortion services on television; what representations they have received since September 2011 about the advertising of abortion services on radio and television, and from whom; what powers they have to regulate, and to prevent, such advertising; and what products or services may not be advertised on radio or television.
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty's Government who made the decision to permit for-profit organisations to advertise abortion services on radio and television; what assessment was made of any previous complaints about the advertising of abortion-related services on television and radio; whether the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, other Ministers in his Department, and officials in that Department, were consulted; and, if so, what response they gave.
Lord Alton of Liverpool to ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have the power to review advertisements for abortion services by for-profit organisations before they are broadcast; if they do, what use they intend to make of that power; and, if not, whether they will bring forward legislation to confer that power.