Clause 1 - Civil partnership
Civil Partnership Bill [Lords]
11:15 am
Mr Christopher Chope (Shadow Minister, Environment and Transport; Christchurch, Conservative)
I am surprised that my hon. Friend does not wish to hear my argument developed. The Joint Committee said that
''when the Bill comes into force, exemption from inheritance tax will be available to a surviving spouse and a surviving civil partner, but not to the surviving partner of an unmarried heterosexual couple, even though they may have lived together as though husband and wife for the whole of their adult lives''.
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned till Thursday 21 October at ten minutes past Nine o'clock.