§ 29. Mr. WATERSONasked the Prime Minister if he will introduce a Bill legalising marriage with a deceased husband's brother?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs my right hon. Friend aware that, as a result of the casualties in the War, a great many widows of soldiers who were killed are now living with their husband's brothers, which is the same as is permitted under the law with respect to a man and a deceased wife's sister, and will he not consider the question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI know from long experience of this House how dangerous it is to begin to interfere with the law in this respect, and I certainly cannot offer any hope that the Government will consider anything of that sort at this moment?
§ Mr. HOGGEWhy does the right hon. Gentleman defend marriage with a de- 822 ceased wife's sister, when the widow cannot marry the deceased husband's brother?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am neither defending nor criticising. I am indicating that it is quite impossible, in the present state of public business, when there are so many things to be done, to bring in a Bill dealing with this question. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why!"] I remember the struggles over the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hon Members are keenly interested in this subject?