Menu
UK Parliament

Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill: Lords third reading

20 November 2018

Image of UK Parliament portcullis

The Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill had its third reading, a chance to 'tidy up' the bill and make changes, in the Lords on Monday 19 November.

This is a private member's bill. A private member's bill is a type of public bill (that affects the public). Private members' bills must go through the same set of procedures as other public bills.

No changes were suggested to the bill ahead of third reading.

Following the completion of third reading, the bill will now go to the Commons for its consideration.

Lords report stage: Monday 12 November

As no changes were made at report stage, the bill now proceeds to third reading. 

Third reading, a chance to 'tidy up' the bill and make changes, is scheduled for 19 November.

Lords committee stage: Friday 26 October

Members discussed the designation of FGM offences under 'family proceedings' in the context of the 1989 Act, and the power of the courts to approve protection orders for at-risk children during criminal proceedings for FGM offences, rather than as separate applications.

Lords second reading: 20 July

The Children Act 1989 (Amendment) (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill had its second reading, the key debate on the draft law's purpose and principles, on 20 July.

Members discussed a range of issues highlighted by the bill, including the lack of successful criminal prosecution of cases of FGM in the UK, the identification of young girls at increased risk of FGM or forced marriage and worldwide programmes to outlaw the practice and provide post-FGM aid.

The bill aims to enable the courts to make interim care orders under the Children Act 1989 in child cases relating to female genital mutilation in addition to female genital mutilation protection orders (FGMPOs).

Further information

Image: iStockphoto

Related news