My Lords, I support Amendment 243 because it throws into the ring just how absurd this situation is.
Alas, we all know that this sort of action and reaction exists in this country. Female genital mutilation is exactly the same thing; it is happening, it has been
happening. We turn a blind eye. We do not want to offend certain organisations and people. We are all against it, of course. The very first Minister I heard who actually understood what was going on completely denounced it, but even that led to no action being taken—you see what we are facing.
What we have heard today should make us stand up and decide in favour of some real action. The amendment has put us on the spot: we should have done so. It certainly should put the Government on the spot, if I may say so, because it is now time for some much more positive action in this respect—and I hope that they will rise to the challenge.