HC Deb 06 August 1900 vol 87 cc776-7
Mr. HAZELL (Leicester)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that anxiety exists in the parish of Dalton-le-Dale, Sunderland, in consequence of the doubtful legality of 334 marriages which have been solemnised in the old parish church between the years 1876 and 1879,. whereas they should have taken place in the new church; whether he is aware that correspondence upon the subject has been going on for seven years, and that, though the Registrar General describes the difficulty as resulting from the illegal action of the Vicar of Dalton-le-Dale, and that, though the persons married under these circumstances are blameless, the-local ecclesiastical authorities have-demanded a guarantee of the costs of rectifying the blunder, and thereby indignation has been aroused; and whether he will take steps, by bringing a Bill into Parliament, or otherwise, to place the-legality of these marriages beyond dispute without expense or further anxiety to the parties.

*The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

I am aware of the question which has been raised regarding the marriages referred to; and a Bill has been drafted, which will, it is hoped, be laid before Parliament early next session, to quiet all doubts as to the validity of these marriages and of certain others in which similar irregularities have occurred elsewhere. I am informed that correspondence upon the subject at Dalton-le-Dale commenced as long ago as 1893; and I think it is to be regretted that the irregularities were allowed to continue so long afterwards. As regards the cost of legalising the marriages already solemnised, the secretary to the Bishop of Durham, who received a deputation from the vestry of the parish in December last, informs me that he has no knowledge of any question of this kind having arisen. The only point discussed with him was the fee which would be payable if a licence were now granted to the old church legalising the celebration of marriages there in future.