§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he intends to introduce legislation to reform the system for registering births, marriages and deaths in Scotland, along the lines proposed for England and Wales in the White Paper "Registration: Proposals for Change".
§ Mr. Michael ForsythScotland's registration law is mainly contained in the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965 and the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977, and is thus rather more recent than the comparable legislation in force in England and Wales. A number of the improvements now proposed south of the border have similarities with what is already Scottish practice. While we have therefore no immediate plans for fresh Scottish legislation in this field, my right hon. and learned Friend will be keeping the position under review in the light of experience.