HC Deb 06 June 1957 vol 571 cc1451-2
24. Mr. Vane

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consult the Secretary of State for Scotland and introduce legislation aimed at ensuring that minors from outside Scotland, who, by the law of their domicile, cannot marry without parental consent, shall not be able to enter into a valid marriage in Scotland.

Mr. R. A. Butler

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland explained on 21st May, in reply to Questions by the hon. Members for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann) and Dundee, East (Mr. G. M. Thomson) that it would be inappropriate for a statement to be made on behalf of the Government on this subject because an appeal in a particular case is pending. I shall keep in touch with my right hon. Friend about the matter.

Mr. Vane

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the whole circumstances of these marriages really do no credit to either England or Scotland and that sooner or later there really must be some change in the law, because on balance they bring far more misery than happiness?

Mr. Butler

I am aware of the difficulty, but as there is litigation I cannot make any further statement today.