§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has on the number of illegal female circumcisions that have taken place in the United Kingdom since 1985; what action he has taken to prevent this practice; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleySince the passage of the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985, which the hon. Member introduced, any female circumcision which took place in the United Kingdom would be illegal. I understand that there have been no prosecutions under the Act. The Act, which was supported by the Government, was intended to prevent the practice. In addition, the Department gives financial assistance to organisations which work to educate and inform the relevant ethnic communities in this country.