§ 31. Mr. Abseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the requirements that marriages are normally only to be solemnised in a building within the registry office district in which one of the parties has resided or, in the case of marriage by banns, in a church in the parish of which one of the parties resides, causes public inconvenience; whether he is aware that there is widespread evasion of these requirements; and whether, to avoid many marriages being celebrated consequent upon deceptions relating to residence, he will introduce legislation to enable people to marry where they wish.
§ Mr. George ThomasMy right hon. Friend is aware that the residence requirements for marriage have been criticised on these grounds. The introduction of the Place of Marriage Bill by the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Summers) may give the House an opportunity to debate the matter.