WOMEN'S group and charities have urged for a "progressive approach" to the devolution of abortion law to Scotland, alongside concerns around a lack of consultation in the process.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell officially confirmed previous reports made in the Herald that the law would be devolved to Holyrood in the Scotland Bill.
In a statement released by the Scotland Office, Mr Mundell said he could "not see a convincing constitutional reason for why abortion law should not be devolved" and a "proper engagement with interested parties" would follow.
The controversial move had previously been a cause of concern from various women's group and charities, who were disappointed with the hastiness and lack of comprehensive consultation.
In response to the announcement, Emma Ritch, Executive Director of feminist organisation Engender said a "progressive approach" to abortion was needed "that reflects the fact that it a health issue that also underpins women’s autonomy and equality with men."
She said: "We are not opposed to the devolution of abortion to Scotland, but were concerned that the haste of the Smith process and the Scotland Bill itself may lead to a reduced timetable for discussing the content of any abortion law.
"We are disappointed that engagement with civil society, and the women’s sector, did not form part of the UK Government’s decision-making in seeking to amend the Scotland Bill.
"Despite the flaws in the process, we are now keen to work with women’s and equalities organisations, trade unions and all political parties to ensure that abortion law in Scotland adequately reflect the needs and priorities of women in Scotland."
Dr Marsha Scott. Chief Executive of Scottish Women's said the charity was looking forward to working with Scotland Office and Scottish Government to ensure that women's access to reproductive health care was improved.
She said: "It is crucial that the transfer of powers to legislate on an issue that primarily affects women include significant consultation with women and with the women’s sector."
Naomi McAuliffe, Programme Director for Amnesty International Scotland also pressed the need to have a "full consultation with women's groups and health organisations."
She added: "It is important that this is kept in the frame of a health concern and not about morality or conscience."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs last month that the Scottish Government has no plans to change the law but believed it should be devolved to ''bring it into line with almost all other health matters''.
Scotland's public health minister Maureen Watt said: "It has been our position, based on the recommendations from the Smith Commission, that abortion law should be devolved to Scotland as almost all other health matters are already devolved.
"However, the First Minister has made absolutely clear that the Scottish Government has no plans to change the law on abortion, including the current time limit. We have yet to see the proposed amendments from the UK Government and hope to do so shortly."
Scottish Labour have been sceptical of the move and voiced there opposition to the move as well as concerns about lack of consultation.
Leader Kezia Dugdale tweeted: "Ministers behind closed doors have decided to devolve abortion. Did anyone stop to ask Scotland's women? Lack of consultation fuels fears."
Scottish Labour Equalities Spokesperson Jenny Marra added: "The Secretary of State has taken this decision behind closed doors without any consultation with women’s groups across Scotland. The Smith Commission promised a process to consider this, but that seems to have only meant a process that involved ministers of the UK and Scottish Governments, and not women across Scotland.
"Scottish Labour firmly believes that the safest way to protect the current legal framework around abortion is for it to remain at UK level where there is a strong consensus around the current time limits.
"Leading human rights and women’s groups have said that devolving abortion law could undermine the right of women to make their own decisions.
"Scottish Labour want to see powers devolved for a purpose, like tax powers to invest in education or welfare powers to protect our vulnerable, and we join a ranged of groups who believe that abortion law should stay at a UK wide level, groups who the UK Government have failed to consult with."
Prime Minister David Cameron's official spokeswoman told a Westminster media briefing: "What we are talking about here is devolution of a power that was recommended for devolution through the Smith Commission.
"What we are saying is we are willing to devolve that power to Scotland. Decisions for how the Scottish Government then decide to use that power are a matter for them.
"My understanding is that they have set out that they have no intention to change the law."
Christian charity CARE for Scotland welcomed the move and said MSPs should take the advantage to debate the issue for the first time in the Scottish Parliament.
CARE for Scotland National Director Dr Stuart Weir said: "In recent years the Scottish Parliament has debated assisted suicide and other complicated topics and proved itself equal to the task so it makes obvious sense to debate abortion laws in Scotland following this transfer."
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