We have listened carefully to the debate on the legal age of marriage and continue to keep it under review. Tackling forced marriage is one of this Government’s priorities, and I am proud that we made it an offence in 2014.

We have listened carefully to the debate on the legal age of marriage and continue to keep it under review. Tackling forced marriage is one of this Government’s priorities, and I am proud that we made it an offence in 2014.

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, knowing as I do the work that she is doing on this. We are very much looking at the evidence. In 2016, the last year for which we have figures, 179 people aged 16 to 17 entered marriage, out of nearly half a million who got married that year. In a way, the hon. Lady’s question demonstrates the complexities of this difficult subject, but I am very keen to work with her and other Members to look at the evidence on this important issue.

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, knowing as I do the work that she is doing on this. We are very much looking at the evidence. In 2016, the last year for which we have figures, 179 people aged 16 to 17 entered marriage, out of nearly half a million who got married that year. In a way, the hon. Lady’s question demonstrates the complexities of this difficult subject, but I am very keen to work with her and other Members to look at the evidence on this important issue.

My hon. Friend has rather demonstrated the paradox in age legislation in our country. I take some comfort from the fact that marriages under the age of 18 are on the decline in this country. We know that that is sadly not the case elsewhere in the world, but I am happy to work with her and other Members from across the House on this difficult and thorny but important topic.

My hon. Friend has rather demonstrated the paradox in age legislation in our country. I take some comfort from the fact that marriages under the age of 18 are on the decline in this country. We know that that is sadly not the case elsewhere in the world, but I am happy to work with her and other Members from across the House on this difficult and thorny but important topic.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to end marriages involving 16 and 17-year-olds.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to end marriages involving 16 and 17-year-olds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, what progress is being made on proposals to allow married partners to convert to an opposite sex civil partnership without divorce under the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, what progress is being made on proposals to allow married partners to convert to an opposite sex civil partnership without divorce under the Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to grant legal recognition to humanist marriage ceremonies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to grant legal recognition to humanist marriage ceremonies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Public Bill Committee.

Second reading. Agreed to on question. Bill committed to a Public Bill Committee.