HL Deb 02 April 1996 vol 571 cc21-2WA
Baroness Young

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the composition of the interdepartmental working party on marriage; by whom was it chosen; what are its terms of reference; what has it published; and how much has it cost to date.

The Lord Chancellor

The interdepartmental working party on marriage is made up of officials from the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Home Office, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Social Security, the Department of Health, the Department for Education and Employment, the Northern Ireland Office and the Welsh Office. The composition of the working party was agreed by the Government.

The working party's terms of reference are to seek to identify:

  • the needs of couples in relation to preparing for marriage and for guidance and support during marriage;
  • the range of services currently available in this area, the extent to which their existence is known and how this knowledge might be increased; and
  • how existing resources might best be used to meet the needs of couples who are considering marriage or whose marriage is in difficulty.

The working party has not published any report, but has given a preliminary indication of the types of initiatives at which it believes resources may need to be targeted. This information was given in response to parliamentary Questions in both Houses on 11th January (House of Lords, I I th January, col. WA 35: House of Commons, 11th January, col. 292).

I will write to the noble Baroness about the costs of the working party.