HC Deb 12 April 1960 vol 621 c1054
2. Mr. Lipton

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce legislation to abolish actions for breach of promise.

The Attorney-General

No.

Mr. Lipton

While I am not surprised at the Attorney-General's rather stick-in-the-mud attitude, may I ask him if he will please bear in mind that this kind of action is sordid, stupid and not in line with modern ideas of sex equality? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that most people want to see it abolished, and the sooner the better?

The Attorney-General

I am not aware of any general demand for the abolition of this cause of action. The hon. Gentleman is, of course, quite in error if he thinks that a man cannot sue for breach of promise.

Mr. S. Silverman

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider that his Answer is quite consistent with the policy of the Government and the party opposite who throughout the ages have based their whole fortune on breach of promise?