Marriage and Civil Partnership: Minimum Age — [Mr Adrian Bailey in the Chair]

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 10:10 am on 15 May 2019.

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Photo of Pauline Latham Pauline Latham Conservative, Mid Derbyshire 10:10, 15 May 2019

I understand what my right hon. Friend says, but the girl is a child. If he thinks she was only 13, she must have been pregnant when she was 12. Whatever the culture of the country, it is a terrible burden for her, however long her life will be. She could have had the child at that age as a result of rape. She probably was not married. If she was married, it was probably a forced marriage. I cannot agree with his point, because that girl should never have had a child at that age. Whether she lives to 35 or 95, it matters not; her body is not ready for it. I fundamentally disagree with the point that he has made.