London -- The number of abortions in Great Britain has risen every year since 1996. The Bristol United Press reports that there were 179,700 abortions in England and Wales in 1997, compared with 177,500 in 1996 and 163,600 in 1995.

Officials with the Office for National Statistics expect another rise in 1998, as data for the first three quarters show 140,600 abortions.