§ Lord Mountevansasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to implement the recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission in their report on Polygamous Marriages: Capacity to Contract (Law Com. No. 146, Scot. Law Com. No. 96).
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)Following publication of this report in 1985, the Government consulted on its recommendations, the main purpose of which is to ensure that those domiciled in England and Wales or in Scotland should not lack the capacity to contract a marriage which is in fact monogamous merely because it is celebrated in polygamous form according to foreign law. Marriages that are actually polygamous would continue not to be76WA recognised as valid in this country. In the light of the views expressed on consultation, the Government have decided to accept these recommendations and will introduce legislation to implement them when a suitable opportunity occurs.