§ 2. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to introduce legislation to alter the law of Scotland relating to the legitimacy of children in accordance with the minority recommendation of seven members of the Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce so as to enact that all children should be legitimated by the subsequent marriage of their parents irrespective of the consideration whether the parents were free to marry when the child was born or conceived.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Niall Macpherson)As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. and learned Member on 29th January, the Royal Commission's recommendations are being thoroughly examined at present. Its proposals about the legitimation of children are included in this review, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot yet make any statement about legislation.
§ Mr. HughesIt is all very well to say that this is being examined, but what I want to know is what steps are being taken to remove the stigma of illegitimacy from the innocent children when it should be put on the illegitimate parents.
§ Mr. MacphersonThat is just one of the subjects which is being considered at present.