§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to bring forward legislation to reform the law affecting the registration of marriages.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 1 February 1990 at columns354–55 announcing publication of a White Paper "Registration Proposals for Change" (Cm 939.) The White Paper contains proposals for reform of the registration system in England and Wales, including changes to the conduct and registration of civil marriages.
The Government hope to introduce the legislation necessary to effect those returns at an early opportunity during the present Parliament.