HC Deb 29 April 1926 vol 194 cc2181-2
11. Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to introduce legislation to raise the legal age of marriage?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

This is a very difficult question. It is still under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any idea as to when this question may be put down again?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I am very anxious to be able to make some statement to the House on the subject, but the more I have dived into the ancient marriage laws of the country, the more difficult the subject appears to me. I am not at all sure that it will not turn out that the legal age for marriage is two.

Mr. D. GRENFELL

Is not that a proper question for the Committee on Juvenile Delinquency?