§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the validity or otherwise of divorces granted in the courts of the illegal régime in Rhodesia; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Foley:My Office has received a few inquiries concerning the validity of individual divorces. In each case my Office has replied to the effect that it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to advise on the possible effects in English law of a divorce decree pronounced by the so-called High Court of Rhodesia. This is a matter that could only be determined conclusively by a judicial decision in the United Kingdom court. My Office has also made the observation that in present circumstances there must be serious doubt whether any pronouncement of the so-called High Court of Southern Rhodesia purporting to exercise jurisdiction in Southern Rhodesia could be regarded in the United Kingdom as being valid judgments of a lawful court.