HC Deb 18 March 1996 vol 274 cc4-5W
Sir Ivan Lawrence

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion and number of divorces were granted in(a) 1973, (b) 1983 and (c) 1993 on the grounds of (i) adultery, (ii) behaviour, (iii) desertion, (iv) two years separation, (v) five years separation and (vi) other reasons. [20391]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The proportion and number of divorces granted in England and Wales in 1973, 1983 and 1993 where the facts relied upon were adultery, behaviour, desertion, two years' separation, five years' separation and other reasons are shown in the table:

Adultery Behaviour Desertion Two years' separation 5 years' separation Other reasons
1973 32,177 22,692 7,847 23,109 17,347 2,831
30.3 per cent. 21.4 per cent. 7.4 per cent. 21.8 per cent. 16.4 per cent. 2.7 per cent.
1983 43,722 54,092 2,481 35,114 10,219 1,851
29.6 per cent. 36.7 per cent. 1.7 per cent. 23.8 per cent. 6.9 per cent. 1.3 per cent.
1993 44,466 74,583 1,118 34,196 9,564 1,091
26.9 per cent. 45.2 per cent. 0.7 per cent. 20.7 per cent. 5.8 per cent. 0.7 per cent.

All the figures are taken from Office of Population Censuses and Surveys statistics. "Other reasons" include annulments; any mixture of adultery, behaviour and desertion; unsound mind and presumed dead.