§ Mr. Bowen Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will prepare legislation to relax the requirements of the law on the places where invalids and prisoners may marry.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Government have decided to prepare legislation to amend the marriage law so as to allow prisoners to be married in prison and also housebound invalids to be married in the place where they are living. At present the escort to a church or register office outside prison of prisoners who cannot safely be temporarily released may present serious difficulties, although the Government allow prisoners facilities to get married in so far as this is practicable. After the passage of the legislation, which the Government have decided to prepare, having regard to recent deliberations of the European Commission of Human Rights, prisoners' marriages could take place +without the restrictions and delays which now apply. The necessary adjusments in law and practice will apply in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland; no such change is necessary in Scottish law and practice. We will initiate consultations at an early date to assist in preparing the legislation.