Mr. Vaneasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the records at Gretna distinguish between marriages of persons under 21 ordinarily resident in Scotland and those who cross the border from England to take advantage of the Scottish law which does not require the same parental consent to a marriage between minors; and how far the number of such latter marriages has shown an increase during recent years.
142Wrefused to release 12 members of their police force who had volunteered for service in Cyprus. I am glad to say that the number of volunteers from Scottish forces for that service was considerably greater than the number who could be accepted, and I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the volunteers and the authorities who have agreed to the release of the men selected.
§ Mr. J. StuartMarriages of persons under 21 who have crossed the border from England and have been married at Gretna can normally be identified by reference to the age of the parties and their usual residence, both of which are recorded in the marriage register. No such marriages have been identified in the registers for the years 1943 to 1950, inclusive, or for the years 1952 and 1953. Four have been identified in 1951, 37 in 1954 and 133 in 1955.