Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2008. It was answered by Meg Hillier (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Marriage

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason approval as a venue for a civil marriage ceremony may not be given to premises with a recent connection with any religion, religious practice or religious persuasion.

Answer: The Marriage Act 1949 draws a distinction between civil and religious marriages in England and Wales. The approval of premises for civil marriages is a matter for the local authority in which the premises are situated and it is the local authority which must be satisfied that the statutory requirements are met before it can grant an approval.The statutory position on approved premises is contained in the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and the Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005. The regulations state that the premises must not be religious premises as defined by section 6(2) of the 2004 Act. The Act defines religious premises as those which are used solely or mainly for religious purposes; or have been so used and have not subsequently been used solely or mainly for other purposes.Therefore, if a premises which has previously been used for religious purposes has subsequently been used for another purpose then the previous use, by itself, should not prohibit the premises becoming approved for the solemnization of civil marriages and civil partnerships.

Secondary information