§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, following the publication of the White Paper "Registration: proposals for change" (Cm. 939), he will consider the introduction of legislation to enable secular marriages to be carried out by magistrates, mayors or provosts, to allow them to take place in civic and other specified buildings and to allow greater flexibility in the services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe White Paper, Cm. 939, presented proposals for change in England and Wales. Scotland's registration system, governed by more recent legislation, already provides considerable flexibility, notably the opportunity for couples to be married in a civil ceremony at any office where there is an authorised registrar, and not just in the area or areas of residence of the parties. The registrar general has invited local authorities to consider how additional flexibility might be provided within the present system, and to submit to him schemes for such improvement. As an example, he has suggested that authorities might wish to designate suitable rooms in other civic buildings as part of registrars' offices, for the purpose of holding civil marriage ceremonies there. My right hon. Friend has no plans for legislation to permit the solemnisation of civil marriages by persons other than registrars.