Asked by: Alex Cunningham (Labour - Stockton North)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Government's 20 December 2021 announcement of proposals to use interim reform to legislate for outdoor civil and religious marriages, for what reason the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice stated that legislating for humanist marriages would pre-empt the Law Commission’s review of marriage law, Official Report, 27 January 2022, col 439 WH.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
By looking at the law comprehensively, the Law Commission will be able to ensure that, insofar as possible, groups and couples are all subject to the same rules and the same level of regulation. The Law Commission recommendations are expected to eliminate the current situation where a couple with one set of beliefs is legally permitted to marry in one type of location (for example, in a private garden), but a couple with another set of beliefs is not. That reform is not possible by only authorising humanist weddings.
The Government will carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations when the final report is published, and it is right for us to wait for the outcome of the Law Commission’s report due in July.
Mentions:
1: Rachel Hopkins (LAB - Luton South) At the heart of humanism is the knowledge that we are deeply dependent on other people for our happiness - Speech Link
2: Andy Slaughter (LAB - Hammersmith) Unfortunately for the Welsh, marriage law is not a devolved matter. - Speech Link
3: Tom Pursglove (CON - Corby) largely on the building in which the relevant marriage takes place. - Speech Link
Asked by: Baroness Bakewell (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to grant full legal status to humanist marriages.
Answered by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
The Government will consider the case for comprehensive and enduring reform once the Law Commission has completed its review of marriage law. The Law Commission will present options for reforms to modernise marriage law. Options are expected to include offering couples greater flexibility to form their own ceremonies, allowing the ceremony to take place in a much broader range of locations and to provide a framework that could allow non-religious belief organisations (such as Humanists) and/or independent celebrants to conduct legally binding weddings. The report is expected in July 2022.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the equity of the administrative costs for humanist marriages; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The Government consulted in 2014 on marriages by non-religious belief organisations. Its summary assessment of costs and benefits was published in the response, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/marriages-by-non-religious-belief-organisations. The Law Commission will also be looking into the impact of the current law on costs incurred by humanist couples. The Government will reconsider this issue on the basis of the Law Commission's recommendations. This report is expected in July 2022.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on the potential impact of his proposed reforms to sections 3 and 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the legal recognition of humanist marriages in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In December, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the Government is consulting on proposals to overhaul and replace the Human Rights Act (HRA) with a Bill of Rights. The consultation process is ongoing and we are carefully considering the impact of proposed policies on the legislative framework and legal systems of each devolved nation within the UK. Engagement with stakeholders, including in the devolved administrations, is underway and roundtable events with religious, humanist and secularist groups are planned. In line with our manifesto commitment, we want to ensure there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our national security and effective government.
Asked by: Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party - East Renfrewshire)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he had made of the potential impact of his proposed reforms to sections 3 and 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the legal recognition of humanist marriages in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
In December, the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the Government is consulting on proposals to overhaul and replace the Human Rights Act (HRA) with a Bill of Rights. The consultation process is ongoing and we are carefully considering the impact of proposed policies on the legislative framework and legal systems of each devolved nation within the UK. Engagement with stakeholders, including in the devolved administrations, is underway and roundtable events with religious, humanist and secularist groups are planned. In line with our manifesto commitment, we want to ensure there is a proper balance between the rights of individuals, our national security and effective government.
Written Evidence Nov. 25 2021
Inquiry: The Government's response to covid-19: human rights implications of long lockdownFound: Founded in 1896, we are trusted to promote humanism by 100,000 members and supporters and over 100 members
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his timeline is for responding to the Law Commission marriage review following its publication.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The Government will carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations when received. The Government will be able to advise further on a timetable to respond to the Law Commission’s proposals once it has received these and assessed the breadth and complexity of the proposals.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the judgment in R (Harrison and others) v Secretary of State for Justice 2020, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals for humanist marriages after the conclusion of the Law Commission marriage review.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The Law Commission report is expected to present options for wholesale reform to the law governing marriage ceremonies, which the Government will consider carefully. Options being explored by the Law Commission include offering couples greater flexibility to form their own ceremonies, allowing the ceremony to take place in a much broader range of locations and to provide a framework that could allow non-religious belief organisations (such as Humanists) and/or independent celebrants to conduct legally binding weddings.
Asked by: Crispin Blunt (Independent - Reigate)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of legally recognising humanist marriages.
Answered by Tom Pursglove - Minister of State (Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery)
The Law Commission will present options for how the law should be reformed in relation to who can solemnize a marriage, including how marriage by humanist and other non-religious belief organisations could be incorporated into a revised or new scheme. The Government will consider the Commission’s recommendations very carefully.