Female Genital Mutilation

Debate between Baroness Hussein-Ece and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Thursday 28th November 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

The medical profession has done much to address this issue. In London alone there are 11 clinics dealing with this situation. However, the problem is extensive in some parts of the world, where high proportions of the population are subject to this regime.

[Baroness Hussein-Ece (LD)]

My Lords—

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[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, I mentioned the Health Minister, Jane Ellison, who on Monday is meeting healthcare professionals and stakeholders to take forward this work on data sharing and to make sure that we are properly informed on this subject.

[Baroness Hussein-Ece]

My Lords—

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[Baroness Hussein-Ece]

My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend the Minister is aware that there are people who want to perpetrate this terrible abuse against young girls who consider some regions of the United Kingdom to be a soft touch. Reports show that girls are being taken in particular to Scotland and parts of the Midlands, where such people think that there is less enforcement. Will the Minister reassure us that there will be consistency in dealing with this child abuse? This has nothing to do with religion; it is child abuse and should be recognised as such.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

The Government are active on this issue at the moment. As I mentioned earlier, Norman Baker has a meeting on Thursday of next week in which he will be discussing exactly this issue. I suggest, as so many noble Lords want to ask questions, that we should try to get a debate on this matter.