The consultation on the draft Abortion Reform Bill has been published - and an overwhelming majority are supporting a call for terminations on request up to 14 weeks’ pregnancy.

Dr Alex Allinson, MHK for Ramsey, was given leave in January to introduce a private member’s bill aimed at reforming the 1995 Termination of Pregnancy (Medical Defences) Act.

A six-week consultation ended on September 18.

In total, 3,644 individual submissions were received including 24 from groups and professional organisations.

This is the largest response to a public consultation in recent years.

Dr Allinson said this showed both the strength of feeling about the subject and a willingness to take part in debate on the key issues.

He noted: ’Abortion is an emotive subject.

’I do not apologise for trying to tackle this issue but also sincerely respect people’s deep felt feelings on this subject.’

Some 77.7% of responses were from women, and 21.8% from men.

Dr Allinson said one of the most humbling aspects of the consultation was the way people especially women, shared their own stories.

One wrote: ’I am filling this in on behalf of my grandmother who sadly I never had the chance to meet as she died as a result of a back street abortion.’

Dr Allinson said there is evidence to support concerns the consultation would in some way be overwhelmed by responses from outside the island or by groups with a particular political view.

But he said the responses do genuinely seem to reflect the views of a significant cross-section of the island’s population.

An overwhelming majority - 87% (3,171 respondents) agreed a woman should have the choice to request an abortion up to 14 weeks.

A total of 84.7% agreed a rape victim should be able to request an abortion without reporting the offence.

Some 81.5% agreed that a woman should be able to request a termination at any stage of the pregnancy, including after 24 weeks, if the foetus has a fatal abnormality.

A total of 73.2% thought that there are circumstances in which an abortion should be provided after the 24th week.

Pro-life campaigners held a peaceful vigil outside the House of Keys on Tuesday to draw attention to their opposition to the draft Abortion Reform Bill.

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of the 1967 Abortion Act in the UK, and pro- life groups will be holding a minute’s silence tomorrow (Friday).