§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to publish their legislative proposals to create a legal framework of rights and obligations for unmarried cohabiting partners of the same sex. [HL2836]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal):The Government recognise that lack of legal status causes very real problems for same-sex partners in their daily lives. We can see clear and strong arguments in favour of a civil partnership registration scheme in England and Wales for same-sex couples, which would bring with it a package of rights and responsibilities for those who registered. We will issue a consultation document on civil partnership registration in the summer.