§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people sought medical help as the 99W result of body piercing in each of the past three years for which records are available; and if he will make a statement; [80864]
(2) what powers a local authority has to revoke the ear piercing registration of a person convicted of a sexual assault; and if he will make a statement; [80863]
(3) if a person registered for ear piercing is allowed to pierce other parts of the body; and if he will make a statement; [80862]
(4) what (a) legislation and (b) other regulations apply to those providing (i) ear piercing and (ii) piercing of other parts of the body; and if he will make a statement.[80861]
§ Ms JowellLocal authorities in London have powers to control ear piercing and cosmetic body piercing businesses by licensing using provisions in the London Local Authorities Act 1991, or by registration and byelaws using provisions in the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981, depending on which legislation they have adopted. The majority of London local authorities have adopted licensing powers.
Local authorities outside London have powers to register and make byelaws for ear piercing businesses under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, but not for cosmetic body piercing businesses.
Local authorities are empowered to make byelaws or licence conditions for ear piercing businesses related to hygienic and safe practice. Breaches of these byelaws and licence conditions may lead to the cancellation of registration or a licence.
In addition, under the London Local Authorities Act 1991, local authorities in London may revoke or refuse to grant, renew or transfer a licence, if the individual carrying on the business is not reasonably regarded by the local authority as a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Therefore it is possible that if information about a conviction for a sexual offence came to light, the local authority may decide to revoke or refuse to grant, renew or transfer a licence.
Following consultation by the Department in 1996 on the regulation of skin piercing, we have decided that primary legislation should be introduced, if parliamentary time allows, to give local authorities outside London powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing businesses. Those authorities are at present able to use general enforcement powers under health and safety at work legislation, should they judge that there is a risk to customers' health and safety. Also, the cosmetic body piercing businesses which are registered for ear piercing under the existing legislation will already be subject to local authority inspection.
The Department does not have information on the number of people who seek medical help as a result of body piercing and we are not aware of any relevant studies.