Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 February 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 February 2002. It was answered by Ruth Kelly (Labour) on Monday, 25 February 2002 on behalf of the Office for National Statistics.

Treasury;Office for National Statistics

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many marriages were contracted between UK nationals residing in the UK and spouses living abroad; and how many and what percentage were arranged marriages in each year since 1997. - Inc text of letter from Karen Dunnell of the Office for National Statistics.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many marriages were contracted between UK nationals residing in the UK and spouses living abroad; and how many and what percentage were arranged marriages in each year since 1997. [36481] Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply. Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 25 February 2002: The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent question on the number of marriages contracted between UK nationals residing in the UK and spouses living abroad, and the percentage of these marriages that were arranged marriages, in each year since 1997. I am replying in his absence. (36841) I regret that the information requested is not available. Only marriages which are solemnised within England and Wales are routinely registered in this country. The nationalities of the spouses are not recorded amongst the details in the Marriage Register; nor whether the marriage was arranged or not.

Secondary information