HC Deb 10 July 1919 vol 117 c2143

Order for Second Reading read.

Sir G. HEWART

I beg to move: That the Bill be now read a second time. This is a measure designed to deal with difficulties arising from the fact that members of the Australian Imperial force and of other Imperial forces have contracted marriages in this country, although they are domiciled outside the United Kingdom, and the effect of the Bill is to render it possible, in case of misconduct on the part of either of the parties to the marriage, to give the Courts here power to pronounce decrees as if the parties were domiciled here.

Sir H. NIELD

I wonder a question of this sort coud not have been foreseen when last we dealt with this matter upstairs, and we did at very great length. However, no one need be surprised that many marriages have been contracted between members of the Australian Imperial Force and women of this country. It would be absurd to suggest that the Courts of this country should be ousted in their jurisdiction merely because under the law at present a person must proceed to the country where the person whom against he is proceeding is domiciled. Therefore I shall offer no opposition to the Bill.

Bill accordingly read a second time.

Resolved, That this House will immediately resolve itself into the Committee on the Bill."—[Mr. Pratt.]

Bill accordingly considered in Committee, and reported without Amendment; read the third time, and passed, without Amendment.