§ Lieut.-Colonel Cordeauxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has completed his review of the regulations that permit the marriage under certain conditions of persons serving a prison sentence; and whether such prisoners will in future be permitted to marry in order to legitimise a child that has already been born.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerYes. I have decided that all persons serving a term of detention in prisons, borstals and detention centres may be allowed out under escort for the purpose of marriage where the marriage would legitimate any child, born or unborn. I do not propose to extend the concession to prisoners who are on remand or awaiting trial or sentence except where there is some circumstance that makes it urgently necessary to allow the marriage before the outcome of the proceedings.