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A bid to change the law on abortion in Northern Ireland by forcing a vote during the passage of a controversial Bill would be “highly inappropriate”, the Commons was told today.

Democratic Unionist MP Nigel Dodds said the province’s political parties were “united” in their opposition to any relaxation of the law.

He was speaking ahead of debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill due later this month.

A cross-party group of MPs, led by Labour’s Diane Abbott, will attempt to force the change to the abortion laws by tabling an amendment to the Bill.

It would allow women to have an abortion on the NHS in Northern Ireland, a right they do not freely have now.

A woman can only have an abortion in Northern Ireland if it can be shown there was evidence of a threat to her life.

It means that every year more than 1,000 women have to pay to have the procedure carried out privately in mainland Britain, usually England.

Ms Abbott claims there is a “very good chance” of an amendment being passed by MPs but it would face stiff opposition from Northern Ireland Members.

There have previously been suggestions that the DUP was assured the abortion laws would not be changed.

This was in return for them supporting the Government over the extension of detention without charge for terror suspects to 42 days. The charge has always been strongly denied by the Government, which insists no deals were made.

Today, during exchanges on coming parliamentary business, Mr Dodds asked Leader of the House Harriet Harman: “Would you accept that it would be a highly inappropriate vehicle to be used to impose a fundamental change in relation to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland?

“Given this is something that the communities in Northern Ireland are united on, all the parties are united on and if devolution is to mean anything then the wishes of the people if Northern Ireland should be respected in that regard.”

Ms Harman replied: “It is very important the view of the parties is taken into account irrespective of the issue that is being raised.

“Also it is important that the views of men and also women are taken into account in all parts of the UK when services are being considered.”