§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their present policy regarding the practice of female circumcision in the United Kingdom.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)The Government's policy was stated in my speech on the Third Reading of the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Bill [H.L.] on 27th March [Official Report, Vol. 450, col. 218–220]. We wholly deplore the practice of female circumcision in this country and are prepared to support legislation to prohibit it, provided that this is so framed as not to place in question the legality of reputable surgical operations.