HC Deb 27 January 2003 vol 398 cc665-6W
Ms Munn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to prohibit body piercing of minors without their parents' or guardians' consent; if he will list the statutory provisions which cover the body piercing of minors. [92520]

Ms Blears

The Government have no current plans to introduce legislation to make the body piercing of minors without their parents' or guardians' consent a criminal offence, as this might lead to them piercing themselves or each other in an unsafe and unhygienic manner or to going to disreputable businesses. We keep the position under review.

There are no statutory provisions relating specifically to the cosmetic body piercing of minors. The following statutory provisions are relevant to the regulation of cosmetic body piercing businesses:

In general, body piercing organisations and local authorities take the good practice view that children, either under 16 or under 18 years of age (depending on viewpoint), should not have body piercing without parental consent. However, practice by individual businesses may vary.

Ms Munn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the need for further regulation of body piercing; what plans he has for the further regulation of body piercing; and what recent consultations the Government have had with local authorities concerning the body piercing of minors. [92521]

Ms Blears

Since January 2002, we have received a small number of representations about the regulation of body piercing businesses.

We intend to introduce primary legislation to give local authorities outside London specific powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing business, when parliamentary time allows.

We have had no recent consultations with local authorities about the cosmetic body piercing of minors.