§ MR. E. R. RUSSELL (Glasgow, Bridgeton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he is aware that there is being circulated 861 by the authority of the Rector of Much Woolton, Liverpool, the following statement:—
Marriages. All persons residing in the parish of Much Woolton must be married at the parish church, unless one of the parties to he married has been residing for 15 days prior to the granting of the licence or the publication of the banns in the parish or district belonging to the church in which they wish to be married. When one (or both) of the parties to be married is (or are) residing in this parish, unless the marriage be by licence, the banns must be published on three successive Sundays in this church; and when the parties reside in different parishes the banns must be published in both churches. Note.—persons infringing the Marriage Laws are liable to heavy penalties;whether there are in the parish Nonconformist places of worship, as well as a Registrar's Office, at which marriages may be legally performed; and whether steps will be taken to prevent the continued circulation of the above quoted statement?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. STUART-WORTLEY) (Sheffield, Hallam)(who replied) said: The Secretary of State has received a letter from the Rector of the parish, who has explained to him that the statement circulated by him, and quoted in the Question, was intended to give information as to the marriage law to members of the Church of England only. The Circular is only issued to members of the Church of England, and by the parocial visitors of the church. In order, however, to prevent any misunderstanding in the future, the Rector informs the Secretary of State that he will in re-printing the Circular so modify its opening words as to make it perfectly clear to everybody what is meant, and to what class of persons the statement applies. There are in the parish Nonconformist places of worship, as well as a Registrar's Office.