§ Mr. Foulkes:To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the provisions of the Civil Partnership Bill apply to Scotland. [142626]
§ Jacqui Smith:The Scottish Executive has stated its preference for the Scottish Parliament to be invited to agree that provisions are included in the Civil Partnership Bill to establish a status of civil partnership in Scotland. The Scottish Executive is currently consulting on its Civil Partnership proposals and a final decision on the preferred legislative route will be made when the consultation has concluded. Including Scottish provisions within a UK Bill will be subject to the agreement of the Scottish Parliament.
The Government are prepared to include such Scottish provisions in its Bill on this basis.
The Bill will also make amendments to legislation which is reserved to Westminster and extends to Scotland.