Clause 3 - Evidence
Gender Recognition Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)
I know that we are keen to make progress but I want the Minister to explain something that he said earlier. He said that British law does not allow same-sex marriages and that is why he will not change the law in this Bill to allow it. That is tautological, however, because a small group of what he considers to be same-sex marriages could be allowed by law if he accepted the thinking behind the amendment. Merely saying that British law does not allow same-sex marriage and that he will not therefore change the law to allow it is a circular argument, is it not?