Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — Report (1st Day) (Continued)

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 11:15 pm on 8 July 2013.

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Photo of Lord Anderson of Swansea Lord Anderson of Swansea Labour 11:15, 8 July 2013

The noble Lord cites US precedent when it happens to suit his case. He is less ready to cite it when it does not, such as when considering the effect of the Civil Rights Act. However, I hear what has been said. Clearly, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. We shall see how the Bill will affect others but I still think it is not unreasonable to ask employers to seek such a reasonable accommodation, wherever practicable. However, this time, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment 53 withdrawn.

Clause 9 : Conversion of civil partnership into marriage

Amendment 54

Moved by Baroness Stowell of Beeston

54: Clause 9, page 10, line 18, leave out “Registrar General” and insert “Secretary of State

Amendment 54 agreed.

Amendment 55

Moved by Lord Elton

55: Clause 9, page 10, line 28, at end insert—

“(3A) Regulations under subsections (1) and (2) shall in particular provide that the conversion of a civil partnership to a marriage shall take place in a registered building with open doors in the presence of two or more witnesses and in the presence of either—

(a) a registrar of the registration district in which the registered building is situated, or

(b) an authorised person whose name and address have been certified in accordance with the regulations by the trustees or governing body of that registered building or of some other registered building in the same registration district.

(3B) Where the conversion of a civil partnership to a marriage takes place in a registered building each of the parties to the civil partnership shall, in some part of the ceremony and in the presence of the witnesses and the registrar or authorised person, make the following declaration—

(none) “I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I, AB, may not be joined in matrimony to CD.” and each of them shall say to the other—

(none) “I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, AB, do take thee, CD, to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)”.

(3C) As an alternative to the declaration set out in subsection (3B) the persons contracting the marriage may make the requisite declaration either—

(a) by saying “I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (name) may not be joined in marriage to (name)”; or

(b) by replying “I am” to the question put to them successively “Are you (name) free lawfully to marry (name)?”; and as an alternative to the words of contract set out in that subsection the persons to be married may say to each other “I () take you ( thee) () to be my wedded wife (husband)”.”