§ 37. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the increased facilities for divorce provided by the new Act, he will take into consideration a revision of the law regarding the maintenance of the wife and children of the first marriage in order that a second marriage by the husband and father may not leave them destitute?
§ Sir S. HoareThe court in granting a decree of divorce already has power in proper cases to award a sum by way of maintenance to be paid for the benefit of the wife and of any children of the marriage, and the position in this respect will not be materially affected when the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Bill become law. I am not aware of any need for further legislation on the point.
§ Miss WilkinsonMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman has seen the statement of the President of the Divorce Court, made quite recently, dealing with the question of petitions by a first wife for maintenance of children by a first marriage, and in view of the very serious consequences to women left with young children, cannot the right hon. Gentleman go into the question of the somewhat out-of-date condition of the law in regard to maintenance?
§ Sir S. HoareIn the first place, I am informed that it is very doubtful whether I have any locus standi in this question at all. Even if I had I do not gather that the observations referred to by the hon. Lady affect the point which she mentions. The answer is as I have given it to the hon. Lady.