Written question asked by Lord McLoughlin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 4 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 November 1998. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 November 1998 on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.

Treasury;Office for National Statistics

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many people were married by special licence in (a) England and (b) Wales in each of the last five years. - Including text of letter from Tim Holt of the Office for National Statistics.

Answer: Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were married by special licence in (a) England and (b) Wales in each of the last five years. [59022] Ms Hewitt: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply. Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Patrick McLoughlin, dated 10 November 1998: As Director of the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of people married by special licence in England and Wales. The information required is as follows: Number of marriages solemnised in the Church of England/ Church in Wales on issue of a special licence granted by, or on behalf of, the Archbishop of Canterbury _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Country of marriage Year of marriage England Wales 1991 2,974 54 1992 2,876 53 1993 2,761 49 1994 2,328 35 1995 2,201 36 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source: Marriage, divorce and adoption statistics, annual reference series FM2

Secondary information