Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill

James Duddridge Excerpts

Monday 20th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Doughty]

I do not know whether the hon. Member for Enfield, Southgate wishes to respond, but I worry about the precedent such a measure would set. Things could go further: if people with strongly held objections to marrying divorcees have an opt-out, those with objections to marrying those in inter-faith relationships might ask for one. That is an important distinction when we are talking about state employees.

[James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con)]

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the registrar trade body has not made representations to the Government to ask for such an arrangement? It is somewhat bizarre that the Government are offering the trade body something for which it is has not even asked.

[Stephen Doughty]

Indeed—the hon. Gentleman makes a strong point.

New clauses 2 and 3 undermine the fundamental concept that everyone should be equal under law, regardless of their sexuality. Public services—we should remember that registrars perform a public service—should be available to all without discrimination. We risk undermining that concept.