Jul. 31 2023
Source Page: Marriage or civil partnership in detentionFound: Marriage or civil partnership in detention
Asked by: Elliot Colburn (Conservative - Carshalton and Wallington)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made in allowing (a) civil marriage, (b) civil partnership and (c) same-sex marriage ceremonies at Ministry of Defence sites.
Answered by Andrew Murrison - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
Defence is proud of all our LGBT+ personnel and the significant contributions they make to ensure our security, support our national interests, and safeguard our prosperity. We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and welcoming organisation for all personnel from all faiths and beliefs.
In England and Wales, neither Civil Marriage nor Civil Partnerships (for opposite sex or same sex couples) currently occur on the Defence Estates due to security considerations associated with the requirements for ongoing public access to buildings registered for this purpose. Defence will continually work together with other Government Departments to look at how restrictions can be removed to make the policy more inclusive.
As marriage is a devolved issue in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the rules differ. Civil Marriage or Civil Partnerships on Defence Estates are at the discretion of the Heads of Establishment. Civil Partnerships and Civil Marriages do occur on Defence estates outside the UK, such as in Germany and Cyprus and will comply with host countries’ laws or the Sovereign Base Regulations.
In line with the Marriage of Same Sex Couples (Use of Armed Forces’ Chapels) Regulations 2014, same-sex couples have been able to marry in Armed Forces Chapels since 2014. To date, three same-sex couple marriages have taken place in Armed Forces Chapels since June 2014, two in England and one in Cyprus.
Asked by: Baker, Claire (Scottish Labour - Mid Scotland and Fife)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what evaluation it has undertaken of the appropriateness of the legal age of 16 for marriage, in light of reported concerns regarding forced marriage and coercion.
Answered by Brown, Siobhian - Minister for Victims and Community Safety
We recognise that points have been made around the minimum age of marriage and civil partnership and whether young people need more protection.
This is why we have been meeting with interested stakeholders.
There are a range of views here. Increasing the minimum age can be argued to increase safeguards for young people, but such a change can also be seen as removing their right to marry or to enter a civil partnership. Additionally, given the range of rights that people acquire when they reach 16, we need to consider carefully whether broader implications would arise from a change to the minimum age of marriage.
The number of registered marriages in Scotland involving 16- and 17-year-olds is very low. However, we are also aware that there are some concerns regarding unregistered marriage ceremonies and about children and young people being taken abroad to be married.
The forced marriage offence in England and Wales has recently been extended, so that it is an offence there in all circumstances to do anything intended to cause a child to marry before they turn 18. No form of coercion requires to be used and the offence applies where the marriage is to take place outside England and Wales, and regardless of whether the marriage would have legal effect.
We would need to assess if this approach would be right for Scotland. Introducing a similar measure here might have the adverse impact of driving forced marriages even further underground. Forcing someone into marriage is already a criminal offence in Scotland and applies to any religious or civil ceremony of marriage whether or not legally binding. This offence will extend later this year to include forced civil partnerships.
The Scottish Government will continue to listen to stakeholders and the wider debate, as we actively consider our next steps. This will help ensure that we properly assess the potential impacts of changes and, if we take forward a full public consultation, that this includes robust evidence.
Mentions:
1: Somerville, Shirley-Anne (SNP - Dunfermline) However, there is a range of protections against forced marriage, and we wanted to close any loophole - Speech Link
Found: Same Sex Marriage (Church of England) [AS INTRODUCED] CONTENTS 1 Marriage of same sex couples
Mentions:
1: Earl of Kinnoull (XB - Excepted Hereditary) He met Judith shortly after this; many people have already said what a strong marriage that was and how - Speech Link
2: Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd (XB - Life peer) It was always evident here, but he often used it to add humour to ceremonies, such as when he opened - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Apsana Begum (Lab - Poplar and Limehouse) A number of practices are illegal in this country, such as forced marriage, which is something that the - Speech Link
2: Rosie Duffield (Lab - Canterbury) Most see the equalities legislation passed here, such as the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013, as - Speech Link
3: Elliot Colburn (Con - Carshalton and Wallington) I thought back to when this House debated same-sex marriage in 2012. - Speech Link
4: Suella Braverman (Con - Fareham) I am proud that it was a Conservative Government who legislated for same-sex marriage in 2013. - Speech Link
5: Nickie Aiken (Con - Cities of London and Westminster) She was being forced to go to family events and take part in religious ceremonies, because her family - Speech Link
Nov. 08 2023
Source Page: Evidence for COVID-19 face masks: FOI releaseFound: in the workplace; when leading an act of worship; rehearsing or performing or in certain parts of a marriage
Mentions:
1: Rachel Hopkins (LAB - Luton South) dishonourably discharged due to their sexuality or gender identity from wearing uniform at remembrance ceremonies - Speech Link
2: Ben Wallace (CON - Wyre and Preston North) because it was never talked about—is what has brought me to a position where I regret voting against gay marriage - Speech Link
3: Margaret Ferrier (IND - Rutherglen and Hamilton West) Will those medals now be returned swiftly and will the ban on LGBT veterans wearing their uniform at ceremonies - Speech Link
4: Elliot Colburn (CON - Carshalton and Wallington) May I press him on the issue of marriage on the defence estate? - Speech Link
Apr. 30 2024
Source Page: Civil justice statistics in Scotland 2022-23Found: Historical statistics, broken down by characteristics such as age at marriage/par tnership, age at