§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what investigations are carried out into cases where people 530W change their religion from one not permitting to one permitting polygamy, whereby benefits from his Department become available;
(2) what criteria are currently utilised to decide whether a man is allowed to be married to more than one woman simultaneously, in respect of claims for social security benefit from his Department;
(3) there are circumstances under which anyone entitled to social security payments or supplementary benefits can claim such benefits on behalf of more than one wife.
§ Mr. DeakinsThis is a complex area, and without the details of any particular case it is only possible to give broad answers. Entitlement to benefit in an individual case is a matter for the independent adjudicating authorities. Religion is not the primary factor in recognition of a polygamous marriage under the laws of the United Kingdom. What matters is the capacity of the parties involved to contract a polygamous or potentially polygamous marriage under the law of their respective domiciles. In respect of claims to national insurance benefits, such a marriage can be treated in the same manner as a monogamous marriage only if it is in fact monogamous. Where a marriage is actually polygamous, no national insurance benefit will be payable for any woman as a wife. In the case of supplementary benefits, the requirements and resources of women involved in such marriages would be aggregated with those of the man in any claim to benefit made by him.
If the hon. Member has a particular point in mind perhaps he would let me know.