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Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Bill [HL]

I am delighted by the amendment. My Bill originally extended only to England and Wales, to respect the devolution settlement. It is very important, because just as we have been talking about what to do in the sub-continent, so it is desirable that we have common standards in the United Kingdom that can deal with a social evil that extends beyond England and Wales. It is therefore very good news to know that the new Administration in Northern Ireland wish this to happen. We cannot deal with Scotland at the moment, but I would be very surprised indeed, whatever Administration comes to pass in Scotland, and if the legislation applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, if the Scots were not also to introduce matching legislation.