ROYAL MARRIAGES ACT, 1772

HC Deb 28 March 1972 vol 834 c225

Q1. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister if he will take steps to repeal the Royal Marriages Act, 1772.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

No, Sir.

Mr. Lipton

That is no answer at all. What better way would there be of celebrating the 200th anniversary of this hangover of an old family squabble than removing it from the Statute Book altogether? Is it not ridiculous that a growing number of descendants of George II—and the number is steadily growing—are legally obliged to seek the approval of the Monarch or the Privy Council before they are allowed to marry? If it is the Government's policy to set the people free, why not set these people free?

The Prime Minister

As the hon. Gentleman says, it is the 200th anniversary. We might give it another 200 years to see how it works out.