§ Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain persons legally married in our Colonies find themselves no longer man and wife when they set foot on these shores; and whether he will institute either an inquiry or legislation with the object of obtaining uniform marriage laws throughout the British Empire?
§ Mr. McKENNA (for the Prime Minister)The hon. Member has been misinformed as to the legal position. Marriages which are legally celebrated in British Colonies are recognised as legal in this country. With regard to the latter part of the question, I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on the 22nd February of last year.
§ Mr. KINGIf I give the right hon. Gentleman a case in point and on all fours with my question, will he look into it?
§ Mr. McKENNACertainly.
§ Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether, with the object of ultimately arriving at uniform marriage laws for the whole British Empire, he will expressly exclude from the powers of the Irish Parliment under the Home Rule Bill any right to pass legislation affecting marriage?
§ Mr. McKENNA (for the Prime Minister)It is not possible for me at this stage to make any statement on the matter, and I must ask the hon. Member to wait for the introduction of the Home Rule Bill.
§ Mr. MOOREMay I ask if the Government have not yet come to a decision as to whether or not the new Parliament can legislate on the lines of the Ne Temere Decree?