HC Deb 13 March 1956 vol 550 cc198-9
9. Mrs. Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what inquiries and precautions are taken by his Department, before the issue of a certificate, to ensure that the twenty-one days' qualification has been observed before marriage is solemnised between runaways from England: and if he is satisfied that this qualification was observed in the case of which particulars have been sent to him.

Mr. J. N. Browne

Under statute a person giving notice to a registrar of an intended marriage must, under penalty, sign a declaration that he has his usual residence in the registrar's district or has resided there for not less than fifteen clear days immediately before giving notice. The declaration must be witnessed by two householders who must declare that they believe it to be true. The notice must then be posted outside the office of the registrar who, if no objection is made, is bound to issue a certificate after seven clear days. Registration of the marriage to which the hon. Lady has drawn my attention has not been traced.

Mrs. Mann

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I can give him the registration of the marriage and that the two persons concerned were actually working in London on 11th December and certainly did not fulfil the twenty-one days' qualification? There is ample proof about where they were working on 11th December.

Mr. Browne

If the hon. Lady will give me that further information, I shall be glad to look into it.