§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by what authority Her Majesty's Government directed the Registrar-General to withhold, at the last moment, documents required to enable 91W the marriage of Mr. Brian Meltzer to take place in Beverley on Monday, 20th April.
§ Mr. Crossman:Her Majesty's Government have no authority to give any such direction and have not done so. The divorce decree purporting to dissolve Mr. Meltzer's former marriage was made by a person appointed to the Bench of Southern Rhodesia after the date of the illegal declaration of independence. The superintendent registrar was therefore informed by the Registrar-General, on the day after notice of the intended marriage was given, that, according to legal advice he had received, such a decree was not that of a competent court; that it would not be recognised by the court in this country as a valid divorce; and that Mr. Meltzer's previous marriage was therefore still an impediment to a further marriage here.