§ 73. Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from the Church of Scotland, in relation to legislation to change the marriage law, about the desirability of retaining the legal validity of banns proclaimed in a church of the Church of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossThe General Administration Committee of the Church of Scotland has expressed the view that proclamation of banns should continue to be a valid preliminary to marriage unless there is an effective alternative procedure for preventing bigamous and illegal unions. Consultations with the Church on this and other aspects of the Kilbrandon Report are proceeding and I shall of course take account of its views in considering what action should be taken on that Report.