§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many defended divorce petitions were successful in 1968, 1969 and 1970 in each of the categories desertion, cruelty and adultery; and if 284W he will indicate the proportions of each to the whole.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe available statistics do not show the number of defended petitions which were successful.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many divorce petitions were presented in the years 1968, 1969 and 1970; how many were successful; how many were undefended; and if he will indicate the proportion submitted on various grounds such as desertion, cruelty and adultery.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellFollowing is the information requested:
1968 1969 1970 Divorce petitions presented 4,953 4,421 4,809 Divorce granted 4,766 4,215 4,589 Divorce undefended 4,600 4,179 4,550 Grounds of petition Desertion 1,267 (26%) 1,122 (25%) 1,032 (22%) Cruelty 1,736 (35%) 1,615 (37%) 1,979 (41%) Adultery 1,939 (39%) 1,679 (38%) 1,793 (37%) Insanity 11 3 5 Sodomy — 2 —
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has had requesting reform of Scottish divorce law to bring it into line with the Divorce Reform Act, 1969.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI have had representations from the Scottish Law Commission and the Law Society of Scotland and from 11 individual persons. The majority of these favoured reform, though not necessarily in the same form as the 1969 Act.