§ Lord Sudeleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will confirm that the status of children horn out of wedlock will change in definition as a result of the Family Law Reform Bill from illegitimate to unlawfully begotten.
§ The Lord ChancellorThe Family Law Reform Bill removes the legal disadvantages of illegitimacy so far as may be, but it does not alter the status of children born out of wedlock. Where it is necessary to distinguish between people on the basis of their parents' marital status, this is, wherever possible, done so expressly in those terms. For further detail I would refer my noble friend to my Second Reading speech in the debate which is to take place tomorrow.