§ Baroness Masham of Ilton asked Her Majesty's GovernmentWhether they believe that the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 regulates a medical procedure. [HL2639]
§ Baroness AndrewsThe Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 does not regulate a medical procedure. The Act exists to render this barbaric procedure a criminal offence if carried out for non-therapeutic reasons as set out in Section 1. The Act does however make provision for surgical interventions in exceptional circumstances if the operation is for a genuine therapeutic purpose for the physical or mental health of the patient or when it is performed on a woman in labour or who has just given birth.