§ 70. Sir WILFRID SUGDENasked the Minister of Health if he will consider amending the law so that the proper official of the register office shall require the production of a certificate from a foreign consul if an English person is to marry a foreigner at the register office exactly as is required when similar parties are married in British churches or chapels?
Sir H. YOUNGProvision is already made in the Marriage with Foreigners Act, 1906, enabling regulations to be made forbidding any person to solemnize a marriage of the class in question without the production of such a certificate. It has not, however, yet been found possible to make the necessary arrangements with foreign countries for the provision of a satisfactory form of certificate. But in the meantime, no further amendment of the law is required for this purpose.
§ Sir W. SUGDENIn view of the difficulties that are arising, in London particularly, will my right hon. Friend consider, in collaboration with the Law Officers of the Crown, a method whereby the foreigner may not invade our home life in this country?
Sir H. YOUNGI will certainly consider any suggestion of my hon. Friend, but the difficulties are not in the powers, which are adequate, but in getting the necessary information or satisfactorily dealing with the situation by foreign countries.