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Written question asked by Lord Pickles (Conservative) on Monday, 5 September 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 September 2022. It was answered by Lord Bellamy (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 September 2022 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Marriage: Humanism

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give humanist marriages legal recognition by laying an Order under the Marriage Act 2013; and if so, whether they will consider doing so on an interim basis pending further reform of marriage law.

Answer

In July 2019, the Government invited the Law Commission to undertake a review of weddings law in England and Wales. The Law Commission report was published on 19 July 2022 and contains 57 recommendations for legislative reform.

To lay an order on an interim basis does not allow the necessary time to consider the Law Commission’s recommendations in full. As has been set out in Parliament, marriage will always be one of our most important institutions, and we have a duty to consider the implications of any changes to the law in this area very carefully, including balancing the needs and interests of all groups. We will publish a response to the report in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2156
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Marriage Humanism
Legislation
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk