Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to WPQ 16079 answered on 14 July 2026 about Marriage Relatives, if he will hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on levels of congenital birth defects to children whose parents are first cousins.

The Government recognises the serious concerns that have been raised on the issue of first cousin marriage. As any responsible Government would do, we must look at whether legislation is the best solution to tackle first cousin marriage or whether education and community engagement are better options.

As a matter of course, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health and Social Care work collaboratively on the topic of cousin marriage, including on the congenital birth defects posed to children of closely related parents.