Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

Anne Begg Excerpts

Tuesday 21st May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Kate Green]

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that helpful intervention.

[Dame Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab)]

I was at a wedding on Sunday. I only attended the evening part, but during the day there was a humanist ceremony, and everyone said it was a wonderful occasion. It was held in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. Does my hon. Friend agree that humanists in Scotland cannot understand why their fellow humanists in England might not enjoy the same rights as they do and feel very disappointed about that?

[Kate Green]

I, too, have attended humanist weddings in Scotland, including that of my niece last October, which was an incredibly special occasion. I can fully understand what my hon. Friend says about the concern and hurt humanists across the UK will feel that these ceremonies that have worked so successfully in Scotland since 2005 have not been replicated here in England.