§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the operation of the law relating to the tattooing of under-16s, and what are his reasons for deciding against the introduction of an age limit for other forms of skin piercing. [1946]
§ Mr. MacleanThe Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 prohibits the tattooing of anyone under the age of 18. The Government have received no evidence to suggest that the law provides inadequate protection for children in regard to other forms of skin piercing and have no current plans for a statutory age limit in this area. The Law Commission is, however, looking at the general issue of tattooing, piercing and other forms of body decoration, as part of its436W study of consent in the criminal law, and the Government will give careful consideration to the recommendations which they make in their final report.