Forced Marriages

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 3:54 pm on 4 December 2008.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Hugh O'Donnell Hugh O'Donnell Liberal Democrat 3:54, 4 December 2008

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate and to put forward the Liberal Democrats' thoughts on forced marriage. We welcome the opportunity that the consultation document offers to clarify the views on forced marriage in Scotland of many stakeholders. I pay tribute to the work of MSPs in previous sessions of the Parliament, including that of Christine Grahame and Cathy Peattie, both of whom contributed to keeping the issue on the agenda. They should be congratulated on that important work.

I am pleased that, in reply to a parliamentary question that I lodged, Kenny MacAskill, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, confirmed that the Government would be engaging in the consultation.

As the minister and other members have said, the issue is complex. Members have rightly pointed out that there is a difference between a forced marriage and an arranged marriage. Indeed, not that long ago, there was a place in Scottish culture for the marriage broker. That said, that was more than 100 years ago—