By Jess McCabe | 1 November 2006, 03:21

MPs have rebuffed an attempt to reduce the time limit on abortions from 24 to 21 weeks and enforce a 10 day “cooling off” period for all terminations, the BBC reports.

Conservative MP Nadine Dorries introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill, calling for a change in the law, but the attempt was defeated 187 to 108.

Even if the bill had been passed, it would have needed the government’s backing before it became law.

Although it is unfortunate that the Conservative back bencher was able to garner the support of 108 MPs, it is surely a good sign that a large majority rejected this attempt to curtail women’s reproductive rights.