§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD GARDINER)My Lords. I beg leave to introduce a Bill to make fresh provision for empowering the court in matrimonial proceedings to make orders ordering either spouse to make financial provision for, or transfer property to, the other spouse or a child of the family, orders for the variation of ante-nuptial and post-nuptial settlements, orders for the custody and education of children and orders varying, discharging or suspending orders made in such proceedings; to make arrears due under an order made in such proceedings unenforceable in certain cases without the leave of the court; to empower the court in certain cases to order sums paid under such an order to be repaid; to provide for orders for periodical payments made in such proceedings in favour of a spouse to cease to have effect on the remarriage of that spouse; to re-enact with amendments sections 23, 24, 25, 32 and 33 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1965: to abolish the right to claim restitution of 30 conjugal rights; to declare what interest in property is acquired by a spouse who contributes to its improvement; to make provision as to a spouse's rights of occupation under section 1 of the Matrimonial Homes Act 1967 in certain cases; to extend section 17 of the Married Women's Property Act 1882 and section 7 of the Matrimonial Causes (Property and Maintenance) Act 1958; to amend the law about the property of a person whose marriage is the subject of a decree of judicial separation dying intestate; to abolish the agency of necessity of a wife; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. I beg to move that this Bill be read a first time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 1a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ On Question, Bill read 1a, and to be printed.