Clause 26 - Commencement
Gender Recognition Bill [Lords]
4:30 pm
Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 25, in
clause 26, page 11, line 38, at end add
'; but the Secretary of State shall not make such an order until he is satisfied that legislation has been enacted to introduce civil partnerships for those persons whose marriage has been annulled by this Act and that such legislation is in force'.
This is the last non-formal amendment. I wish to record my appreciation for the responses that we have had. Even though they have not always satisfied us, at least they have been tendered.
The amendment can be read in one of two ways. The Minister will know in which way I wish it to be read. It is not a delaying tactic to defer application of the Bill, which I want to be passed as soon as possible, as do people in the transsexual community. It is meant to send the message that the Bill will work much better, and deal with some of the dilemmas that we have debated at length in Committee, if it is accompanied by a civil partnerships Bill. We, or at least I, wish both to proceed together. I realise that that is difficult. The Minister cannot produce two pieces of legislation at the same time, and I realise that the Government are consulting on civil partnerships. However, it would be extremely useful if we could have the two blades of the scissors operating together as soon as possible. It is in that spirit that I have tabled my amendment. I hope for clarification and perhaps some words of encouragement from the Minister.