Civil Partnerships (Hansard, 24 March 2004)

§ Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there is a requirement on the United Kingdom to create a legal status for same-sex couples. [163087]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Government are proposing the creation of a new legal relationship of civil partnership for reasons of general equality and social justice. There is no legal requirement on the United Kingdom to create a legal status for same-sex couples.

§ Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether legal rights and benefits to which married couples are entitled will not be given to registered same-sex couples in the Civil Partnership Bill. [163088]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Government consulted on the extent and nature of rights and responsibilities to which civil partners should be entitled last year. The Government will make clear their proposals on introduction of the forthcoming Civil Partnership Bill.

§ Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long a same-sex couple will be required to live together before they can register their partnership under the proposed Civil Partnership Bill. [163089]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Government's policy is that same-sex couples would not be required to live together before entering a civil partnership.

§ Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason unfaithfulness similar to adultery has been omitted as a ground for dissolution of civil partnerships; and what obligation there is upon those entering a civil partnership to stay together for life.[163090]

§ Jacqui Smith
The detailed proposals for a dissolution procedure will appear in the forthcoming Civil Partnership Bill. Government policy is that the conduct of a civil partner who is unfaithful could amount to unreasonable behaviour on which dissolution proceedings could be grounded. This would be a matter for individual dissolution proceedings.
The Government's proposals for civil partnership are designed for those people in, or wishing to enter into, same-sex couple relationships that are intended to be permanent. The significant rights and responsibilities flowing from the new legal relationship of civil partnership and the formality of the proposed dissolution procedure underline the seriousness of the commitment expected.

§ Mr. Leigh
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what legal protection will be afforded to registrars who hold a principled and conscientious objection to conducting a civil partnership registration under the proposed Civil Partnership Bill. [163091]
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§ Jacqui Smith
The Government's policy is that there would be a legal requirement on registration authorities to provide the means to register a civil partnership. This would have to be provided to the same high standards as for other statutory services.