No change to surrogacy law

A change in the law on surrogacy, effectively banning surrogate motherhood in return for the payment of expenses, is most unlikely, Whitehall sources indicated last night. While contract-based commercial surrogacy is illegal in Britain, questions have been raised about the alleged payment of expenses in excess of pounds 10,000 to "host" mothers.

A Department of Health spokesman said yesterday: "If there is anything that comes to light that gives us concern, we will have a look at the existing law to see if it is adequate." But he stressed there was no presumption in favour of tightening legislation. Ruth Deitch, chairwoman of the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Authority, said recently that she thought the existing law was sound, although there may be some concern about people taking the payment of expenses too far.