Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the eligibility criteria for legal aid are for those seeking Female Genital Mutilation protection orders.

We are committed to tackling and preventing the harmful and unacceptable practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). This is why we are strengthening the law in this area through the Serious Crime Bill, including by introducing Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders, to protect potential or actual victims of FGM. Civil legal aid will be available in relation to the making, varying, discharge and appeal of these orders. Criminal legal aid will be available in relation to a prosecution for breach of such an order.

We will consider how best to apply the means and merits tests as part of the preparations for implementing FGM Protection Orders, subject to the Bill becoming law.