Equal Marriage Consultation

David Burrowes Excerpts

Tuesday 11th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I think I did answer my hon. Friend’s question yesterday by saying that marriage in this country is between two people.

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

Now that the state wishes to redefine marriage, will it redefine adultery and non-consummation?

[Maria Miller]

Again, that is an important detail, which I am sure will be looked at further when the Bill is examined in Committee. I can say clearly to my hon. Friend—the consultation document says that there must be clarity on this issue—that no changes to the laws of adultery are proposed and that same-sex couples will have the current laws of adultery available to them if those laws apply. If they do not apply, there will also be grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” for individuals to seek divorce if the behaviour falls short of adultery. I believe that this reflects the current situation for civil partnerships.