To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the practice of female genital mutilation in the UK.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an unacceptable form of abuse and violence against girls and women, and this Government are absolutely committed to preventing and tackling FGM.

The Ministers for Women and Equalities attend the Home Office Inter-Ministerial Group on Violence Against Women and Girls and are committed to supporting the Governments Action Plan to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The Government Equalities Office (GEO) was represented at the Home Office Ministerial Roundtable on FGM on 18 July, hosted by Jeremy Browne, Minister for Crime Prevention. GEO also attends quarterly cross-government policy officials meetings on FGM.

I held a roundtable meeting on International Women's Day 2013 with members of the women's sector to discuss violence against women and girls, including FGM.