Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013: Difference between revisions
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When the Bill was introduced, the Conservative MP for [[Hendon (UK Parliament constituency)|Hendon]], [[Matthew Offord]] asked if "other forms of marriage, such as polygamy" would be introduced as a result of the same-sex marriage plans, although the Government has said that this "would not be possible".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121210/debtext/121210-0001.htm#1212108000002|title=Hansard – House of Commons 10 December 2012|publisher=Parliament.uk}}</ref> [[Edward Leigh]], Conservative MP for [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough]] accused the government of attempting to "redefine" marriage<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20683031|title=Conservative MPs warn of gay marriage backlash|publisher=BBC News Online|first=Tim|last=Iredale|date=11 December 2012|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref> and Labour MP [[Austin Mitchell]] tweeted that gay marriage was "neither urgent nor important".<ref>[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/12/10/austin-mitchell-mp-ed-miliband-must-allow-labour-mps-a-free-vote-on-same-sex-marriage/ Austin Mitchell MP: Ed Miliband must allow Labour MPs a free vote on same-sex marriage] PinkNews</ref> |
When the Bill was introduced, the Conservative MP for [[Hendon (UK Parliament constituency)|Hendon]], [[Matthew Offord]] asked if "other forms of marriage, such as polygamy" would be introduced as a result of the same-sex marriage plans, although the Government has said that this "would not be possible".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm121210/debtext/121210-0001.htm#1212108000002|title=Hansard – House of Commons 10 December 2012|publisher=Parliament.uk}}</ref> [[Edward Leigh]], Conservative MP for [[Gainsborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Gainsborough]] accused the government of attempting to "redefine" marriage<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20683031|title=Conservative MPs warn of gay marriage backlash|publisher=BBC News Online|first=Tim|last=Iredale|date=11 December 2012|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref> and Labour MP [[Austin Mitchell]] tweeted that gay marriage was "neither urgent nor important".<ref>[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/12/10/austin-mitchell-mp-ed-miliband-must-allow-labour-mps-a-free-vote-on-same-sex-marriage/ Austin Mitchell MP: Ed Miliband must allow Labour MPs a free vote on same-sex marriage] PinkNews</ref> |
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The Bill is notable for its "quadruple lock"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/dec/11/gay-marriage-quadruple-lock-religious-groups|title=Gay marriage plans offer 'quadruple lock' for opposed religious groups|publisher=The Guardian|first=Patrick|last=Wintour|date=11 December 2012|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref> to safeguard religious organisations from being forced to conduct gay marriage ceremonies, however The Right Reverend [[Tim Stevens]], [[Bishop of Leicester]] has called marriage between a man and a woman "a social institution which predates both church and state" and suggested that "the absence of overwhelming public consensus for change ought to give pause for thought",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005888.html|title=Anglican responses to Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill|publisher=Thinking Anglicans.org}}</ref> despite the fact that the "quadruple lock" would not permit the [[Church of England]] or the [[Church in Wales]] to conduct same sex marriages, without expressly confirming that |
The Bill is notable for its "quadruple lock"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/dec/11/gay-marriage-quadruple-lock-religious-groups|title=Gay marriage plans offer 'quadruple lock' for opposed religious groups|publisher=The Guardian|first=Patrick|last=Wintour|date=11 December 2012|accessdate=25 January 2013}}</ref> to safeguard religious organisations from being forced to conduct gay marriage ceremonies, however The Right Reverend [[Tim Stevens]], [[Bishop of Leicester]] has called marriage between a man and a woman "a social institution which predates both church and state" and suggested that "the absence of overwhelming public consensus for change ought to give pause for thought",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005888.html|title=Anglican responses to Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill|publisher=Thinking Anglicans.org}}</ref> despite the fact that the "quadruple lock" would not permit the [[Church of England]] or the [[Church in Wales]] to conduct same sex marriages, without expressly confirming that they wished to do so. |
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== Summary of Bill == |
== Summary of Bill == |
Revision as of 12:41, 19 June 2013
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The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill is a bill currently before the Parliament of the United Kingdom.[1] which would allow same-sex marriage in England and Wales.
On 5 February 2013, the bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons, 400 votes to 175. On 21 May 2013, the bill passed its third and final reading in the House of Commons by a majority of 205, 366 votes to 161.[2] On 4 June 2013, the bill passed its second reading in the House of Lords, after a vote of 390 votes to 148 rejected a wrecking amendment that would have denied it a second reading.[3]
Background
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Equal_Marriage_Wedding_Cake.jpg/220px-Equal_Marriage_Wedding_Cake.jpg)
In September 2011, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Equalities, Lynne Featherstone, announced that the Government of the United Kingdom would launch a consultation in March 2012 on how to introduce civil marriage for same sex couples.[4] The consultation closed in June 2012 and, in December 2012, the new Minister for Women and Equalities, Maria Miller, announced that the Government would be introducing legislation "within the lifetime of this Parliament" and that they were "working towards this happening within this Parliamentary Session".[5] The Bill was introduced into Parliament on 24 January 2013. The leaders of the three main political parties in the United Kingdom have given their MPs a free vote on the legislation, meaning they will not be whipped to vote in favour or against it.[6]
The Bill was welcomed by many, including the gay rights campaigning group Stonewall.[7] The organisation Labour Humanists said there was "no credible ethical reason" to oppose gay marriage[8] and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller, who is also Maria Miller told the House of Commons that the proposals "will strengthen, not weaken" the institution of marriage.[9]
The proposed legislation has been proven controversial. In December 2012, the Right Reverend Mark Davies used his Christmas sermon to link the Bill to how he considered "Nazis and Communists undermined faith".[10] Concerns about the teaching of same sex marriage or same sex relationships in school were highlighted by Minister for Faith Baroness Warsi.[11] The campaign director of lobby group Coalition for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, labelled the legislation "appalling".[12]
When the Bill was introduced, the Conservative MP for Hendon, Matthew Offord asked if "other forms of marriage, such as polygamy" would be introduced as a result of the same-sex marriage plans, although the Government has said that this "would not be possible".[13] Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough accused the government of attempting to "redefine" marriage[14] and Labour MP Austin Mitchell tweeted that gay marriage was "neither urgent nor important".[15]
The Bill is notable for its "quadruple lock"[16] to safeguard religious organisations from being forced to conduct gay marriage ceremonies, however The Right Reverend Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester has called marriage between a man and a woman "a social institution which predates both church and state" and suggested that "the absence of overwhelming public consensus for change ought to give pause for thought",[17] despite the fact that the "quadruple lock" would not permit the Church of England or the Church in Wales to conduct same sex marriages, without expressly confirming that they wished to do so.
Summary of Bill
Part 1: Marriage of Same Sex Couples in England and Wales
Clause 1 provides that "Marriage of same sex couples is lawful" but that a marriage between a same sex couples may only be solemnised in accordance with:
- Part 3 of the Marriage Act 1949 (which allows civil marriage ceremonies in register offices or on approved premises such as hotels; and, if the relevant religious organisation has opted in to marry same sex couples, marriages in religious buildings (except those of the Church of England or Church in Wales), or according to the usages of the Jews or Quakers, and for certain marriages for detained or house-bound persons);
- Part 5 of the Marriage Act 1949 (marriages in naval, military, and air force chapels);
- The Marriage (Registrar General’s Licence) Act 1970 ("deathbed" marriages outside registered premises); and
- An Order in Council made under Part 1 or 3 of Schedule 6 of the Act (marriages overseas in the presence of a consular officer or marriages overseas of armed forces personnel).
Clause 1 also provides that the Act would not affect the consistency of the Canon of the Church of England with section 3 of the Submission of the Clergy Act 1533 (which provides that no Canons shall be contrary to the Royal Prerogative or the customs, laws or statutes of the United Kingdom), and that it would neither impose any duty on a member of the clergy to solemnise same sex marriages, nor provide for any right of persons to have same sex marriages solemnised by members of the clergy.
Clause 2 provides for a number of protections for religious organisations:
- No person could be compelled to opt in to any involvement in same sex marriages, or from opting out of any involvement in same sex marriages (clause 2 also defines what are opt in and opt-out activities);
- No person could be compelled to conduct a same sex marriage; be present at, carry out, or otherwise participate in, a same sex marriage; or consent to a relevant marriage being conducted;
- The Equality Act 2010 would be amended to prevent discrimination claims under the Act from being brought against people who refuse to do any of the activities referred to above.
Clause 3 amends section 26 of the Marriage Act 1949 to authorise civil same sex marriages and without any opting in necessary. The revised section 26 will therefore authorise:
- religious marriages for opposite sex couples only in registered buildings;
- civil marriages for all couples in a register office;
- civil marriages for all couples in, for example, a hotel or other approved premises;
- religious marriages for opposite sex couples by the Quakers or the Jewish religion;
- marriages opposite sex couples, one of whom is house-bound or detained;
- civil marriages for all couples, one of whom is house-bound or detained;
- marriages for opposite sex couples in a church or chapel of the Church of England or the Church in Wales.
Clause 4 and Schedule 1 insert a new section 26A into the Marriage Act 1949 which would allow religious organisations to opt in to performing same sex marriages. The religious organisation would have to apply to the Registrar General for a building certified as a place of religious worship to be registered as authorised to solemnise same sex marriage. If the necessary conditions are met, the Registrar General would then have to register the building. The Church of England and the Church of Wales would not, however, be allowed to opt in under this provision, although the Church in Wales would be able to conduct same sex marriages under clause 8.
Clause 5 inserts a new section 26B to the Marriage Act 1949 which would allow for religious same sex marriages to take place without any opt in necessary in certain circumstances:
- Marriages in accordance with the religious practices of Quakers, as long as the recording clerk of the Society of Friends in London has consented to marriages of same sex couples;
- Marriages in Jewish religious ceremony, as long as the relevant governing authority has consented to marriages of same sex couples (the relevant governing authority would be the person or persons designated as such by the secretary of the synagogue); and
- Marriages for all religions, except the Church of England and Church in Wales, where one or both of the same sex couples is house-bound or detained, and the relevant governing authority has given consent to same sex marriages.
Clause 6 amends Part 5 of the Marriage Act 1949 to permit same sex marriages in naval, military and air force chapels. Under Part 5, a marriage may take place in such a chapel which has been licensed for the solemnisation of marriages according to the rites of the Church of England or the Church in Wales, or registered for the solemnisation of other marriages. Clause 6 also amends Part 5 allow for the registration of military chapels for the solemnisation of marriages of same sex couples, with an exception for the Church of England and the Church in Wales.
Clause 7 amends section 1 of the Marriage (Registrar General’s Licence) Act 1970 so that the Registrar General can only authorise a religious marriage of a same sex couple if the relevant governing authority has consented to marriages of same sex couples. Section 1 does not apply to the Church of England or the Church in Wales.
Clause 8 sets out the procedure by which the Church in Wales could opt in to performing same sex marriages. The Lord Chancellor would have to be satisfied that the Governing Body of the Church in Wales had resolved that the law should be changed to allow for the marriage of same sex couples according to the rites of the Church in Wales. He would then be able to make an order permitting the Church in Wales to perform same sex marriages.
Clause 9 would permit couples in a civil partnership to convert them into marriages.
Clause 10 and Schedule 2 provide that same sex marriages entered into outside of England and Wales would be recognised as marriages in England and Wales. Schedule 2 also makes specific provisions for Scotland and Northern Ireland. In relation to Scotland. where the government is in the process of introducing same sex marriage as well, it would allow for same sex marriages conducted in England and Wales to be recognised as civil partnerships in Scotland. Such a power might be exercised if either same sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales before Scotland or if Scotland ultimately did not legalise same sex marriage. In relation to Northern Ireland, it would simply allow for same sex marriages conducted in England and Wales to be recognised as civil partnerships in Northern Ireland.
Clause 11 and Schedules 3 and 4 provide that all references to marriage in the law of England and Wales apply to same sex marriages as well as opposite sex couples. Schedule 3 provides further detail on the interpretation of legislation:
- In all legislation, references to marriage include same sex marriages;
- In all legislation, references to persons who are not married but who live together as a married couple include same sex couples who are not married but who live together as a married couple;
- In all future legislation, the terms "husband", "wife", "widow" and "widower" will include persons in same sex marriage or same sex marriages ended by the death of one of the couple.
Schedule 4 makes a number of further provisions as a result of the introduction of same sex marriages:
- In private legal instruments made before the introduction of same sex marriages, reference to marriage will be interpreted as only referring to opposite sex marriages;
- The common law presumption that a child born to a woman during her marriage is also the child of her husband (often referred to as “the presumption of legitimacy”) does not apply in relation to same sex marriages (i.e. where two women are married to each other and one of them gives birth to a child, the other party will not be presumed to be the parent of that child by virtue of the common law presumption);
- In divorce proceedings, adultery will only include sexual conduct between two persons of the opposite sex (although such conduct may still be deemed 'unreasonable conduct' or addressed by other laws than adultery law);
- Non-consummation of the marriage will not be grounds for annulment for same sex couples;
- The Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1973 is amended so that same sex couples who have become habitually resident or domiciled in another country which does not recognise same sex marriage, and so who are unable to divorce or obtain other matrimonial order in the country which would normally have jurisdiction, will be able have their case heard in the courts in England and Wales;
- Legislation on state pensions is amended; and
- Legislation on occupational pensions and survivor benefits is amended.
Part 2: Other Provisions Relating to Marriage and Civil Partnership
Clause 12 and Schedule 5 amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to enable existing marriages registered in England and Wales or outside the UK to continue where one or both parties change their legal gender and both parties wish to remain married. It also amends the Act to enable a civil partnership to continue where both parties change their gender simultaneously and wish to remain in their civil partnership.
Clause 13 and Schedule 6 repeal the Foreign Marriage Act 1892 and provides for a power for Her Majesty by Order in Council to legislate so that the arrangements for marriage (including marriage of same sex couples) in overseas consulates and the issuing of certificates of no impediment are aligned with the existing arrangements for civil partnership registration in overseas consulates. Schedule 6 also provides for a very similar power for Her Majesty by Order in Council to legislate to enable service personnel and accompanying civilians (including same sex couples) to marry overseas.
Part 3: Final Provisions
Clause 14 and Schedule 7 make various transitional and consequential provisions. Part 1 of Schedule 7 deals with transitional arrangements in relation to “approved premises”. These are premises (such as hotels) which have been approved by local authorities as venues for civil marriages and civil partnerships. Part 1 provides that any premises in the process of applying to be approved, or already approved as a venue for marriages of opposite sex couples will automatically be approved as a venue for marriages of same sex couples. Any future applications for, and grants of, approval of premises, will be for both same sex and opposite sex civil marriage. Part 2 of Schedule 7 makes amendments to a number of pieces of legislation in consequence of the introduction of same sex marriage, notably the Marriage Act 1949, the Marriage (Registrar General’s Licence) Act 1970, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the Pension Schemes Act 1993, the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, and the Equality Act 2010.
Clauses 15 to 18 deal with Orders and Regulations made under the Act, interpretations of terms used in the Act, the territorial extent of the Act, its Short Title, and its commencement.
Parliamentary Passage
The Bill will first go through a number of stages in the House of Commons, where it was introduced. These are:
- First Reading: the formal introduction of the Bill with no debate or vote.
- Second Reading: a debate on the general principles of the Bill followed by a vote.
- Committee Stage: a committee comprising a small number of Members of Parliament is set up to scrutinise the Bill line-by-line. The committee will first take evidence on the Bill, and then vote on any amendments that have been put forward, before returning the Bill, amended or otherwise, to the House of Commons as a whole.
- Report Stage: following the Bill's 'reporting' by the committee, the Bill is scrutinised by the House of Commons as a whole. Any Member of Parliament may table amendments which will be voted on.
- Third Reading: a short debate on the Bill, amended or otherwise, followed by a vote on the final text.
The Bill will then go through largely similar stages in the House of Lords. The only difference is at Committee Stage where the 'committee' is, in fact, the House of Lords sitting as a whole; no evidence is taken on the Bill, and amendments at this stage are tabled in order to gain further information from the government on specific provisions of the Bill, rather than to actually amend the Bill. Only at Report Stage are amendments likely to be tabled with an intention that they will be voted upon.
If the Bill is not amended by the House of Lords, it will go immediately to receive Royal Assent. If the House of Lords makes amendments to the Bill, these amendments will then be voted upon by the House of Commons which can choose to accept them or reject them. The Bill will go back and forth between the two Houses in a procedure known as 'ping pong' until the text is agreed by both.
House of Commons
First Reading
The Bill received its First Reading on 24 January 2013.[18]
Second Reading
The Bill received its Second Reading on 5 February 2013,[19] passing by a large majority of 400 to 175.[20]
style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #FAA61A;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #FDF38E;" data-sort-value="Scottish National Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #005B54;" data-sort-value="Plaid Cymru" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #02A95B;" data-sort-value="Green Party of England and Wales" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #2AA82C;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic and Labour Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #F6CB2F;" data-sort-value="Alliance Party of Northern Ireland" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #46801c;" data-sort-value="Respect Party" |![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Marriage_%28Same-Sex_Couples%29_Bill%2C_Second_Reading.svg/300px-Marriage_%28Same-Sex_Couples%29_Bill%2C_Second_Reading.svg.png)
The SNP did not vote, as the Bill largely applies to England and Wales only.[citation needed]
Committee Stage
The Bill was examined by the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill Committee, a Public Bill Committee established to scrutinise the Bill line-by-line. The Committee made no amendments to the Bill and returned it to the House of Commons on 12 March 2013.[23]
Prior to its scrutiny of the Bill, the Committee heard evidence from a number of witnesses. On 12 February 2013, the Committee heard evidence from the Church of England, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the Church in Wales, Lord Pannick QC, Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws QC, Stonewall, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, the Gender Identity Research and Education Society, Liberal Judaism, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Out4Marriage, the Coalition for Marriage, and Professor Julian Rivers of the University of Bristol Law School.[24]
On 14 February 2013, the Committee heard evidence from the Religious Society of Friends (the Quakers in Britain), the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, Liberty, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Cooperative Group, Schools OUT, the PSHE Association, Jeffrey John, Alice Arnold, Brendan O'Neill, and Mark Jones of Ormerod Solicitors.[24]
Members of the Public Bill Committee included:[25]
Report Stage
The Bill was examined by the House of Commons as a whole during the Report Stage on 20 and 21 May 2013.[26] During the Report Stage, a number of amendments were made to the Bill:
- A new clause was inserted which makes clear that chaplains who are employed by a non-religious organisation (such as in a hospital or a university) who refuse to conduct a same sex marriage will not contravene anti-discrimination legislation.
- Clause 8 was amended to state that if the Governing Body of the Church in Wales makes clear that it wishes to conduct same sex marriages, the Lord Chancellor "must" make an order allowing it to do so, rather than simply having the power to do so.
- Following pressure on the government to open up access to civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples, a new clause was inserted which will require there to be a review of the operation and future of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 in England and Wales as soon as practicable.
Third Reading
The Bill received its Third Reading in the House of Commons on 21 May 2013, passing with a majority of 366 to 161.[2]
style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #FAA61A;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #FDF38E;" data-sort-value="Scottish National Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #005B54;" data-sort-value="Plaid Cymru" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #02A95B;" data-sort-value="Green Party of England and Wales" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #2AA82C;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic and Labour Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #F6CB2F;" data-sort-value="Alliance Party of Northern Ireland" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #46801c;" data-sort-value="Respect Party" |House of Lords
First Reading
The Bill received its First Reading in the House of Lords on 21 May 2013.[28]
Second Reading
The Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 3 and 4 June 2013,[29] after a vote of 390 votes to 148 (or 72% support/28% oppose) rejected a wrecking amendment that would have denied it a second reading.[30][3] The bill was supported (and the amendment rejected) by a majority from every party having representation in the House.[30]
The House of Lords – whose members at the time averaged an age of 69[31] – primarily acts as a reviewing chamber, and the second reading is often in effect about the principles of a bill. The bill was therefore expected to be faced with a difficult hurdle, including strong, vocal opposition. A rarely-used "wrecking" motion was tabled by Lord Dear, to effectively reject the bill in full, in place of its second reading. Speakers opposed to the bill described it as a breach of tradition, undemocratic, against religion, and ill thought out.[32] Supporters included peers who were themselves in long-term same-sex relationships (Baroness Barker, Lord Black of Brentwood, Baron Smith of Finsbury), and a fourth whose daughter was in a same-sex relationship, as well as heterosexual peers such as Lord Jenkin who had been supportive of gay rights for decades.[31] Nine of the 14 Anglican bishops attending voted for the amendment and five abstained.[33]
The final vote of almost 3–1 against the amendment, and in favour of the bill as it stood, was described by media and other observers as "very remarkable",[31] "crush[ing]"[32] and "overwhelming".[32][34]
style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #E4003B;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #FAA61A;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #48A5EE;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #6D3177;" data-sort-value="UK Independence Party" | style="width: 2px; color:inherit; background-color: #005B54;" data-sort-value="Plaid Cymru" |- ^ Note: this figure does not include peers that are deceased, have been granted a leave of absence or have been disqualified.
Committee Stage
The Bill is currently undergoing its Committee Stage in the House of Lords. The first day of Committee Stage took place on 17 June 2013, with two further days scheduled for 19 and 24 June 2013.[29] Recommended amendments from this stage would then be reported and debated in the House of Lords before third reading, and then be passed back and forth between the Commons and the Lords to agree on the final identical text.[36]
Report Stage
The Bill is scheduled to undergo Report Stage in the House of Lords on 8 and 10 July 2013.[36]
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png)
References
- ^ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill". House of Commons. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.,
- ^ a b "Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan". BBC. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ a b "Gay marriage bill: Peers back government plans". BBC News Online. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
- ^ "Lynne Featherstone MP announces government consultation on equal marriage". lynnefeatherstone.org. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ "Equal marriage: The Government's response". HM Government. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ "Lib Dem MP Gordon Birtwistle: 'Gay marriage is just not on'". www.pinknews.co.uk. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ "Help Stonewall push for Marriage Equality". Stonewall (charity).
- ^ "Backing equal marriage". Labour Humanists. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Miller, Maria (11 December 2012). "Parliamentary statement on equal civil marriage". Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ Martin, Daniel (24 December 2012). "Senior Roman Catholic Bishop links push for gay marriage to Nazi attack on religion in controversial Christmas sermon". Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ Chapman, James (12 December 2012). "Now PM's faith minister attacks gay marriage law: Warsi claims equality could have string of 'unintended consequences'". Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Gay marriage bill 'creates two forms of marriage'". ITV News. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Hansard – House of Commons 10 December 2012". Parliament.uk.
- ^ Iredale, Tim (11 December 2012). "Conservative MPs warn of gay marriage backlash". BBC News Online. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ Austin Mitchell MP: Ed Miliband must allow Labour MPs a free vote on same-sex marriage PinkNews
- ^ Wintour, Patrick (11 December 2012). "Gay marriage plans offer 'quadruple lock' for opposed religious groups". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
- ^ "Anglican responses to Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill". Thinking Anglicans.org.
- ^ "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 24 January 2013". Houses of Parliament. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ "Bill stages — Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13". Houses of Parliament. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ "Gay marriage: Legislation passes first Commons hurdle". BBC News. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ Gay marriage: Party leaders hail vote
- ^ "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill — 5 Feb 2013 at 18:52". Divisions — 2010–present, Westminster. Public Whip. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ^ MARRIAGE (SAME SEX COUPLES) BILL (PROGRAMME)
- ^ a b [1]
- ^ "House of Commons Public Bill Committee on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012–13". Retrieved 20 May 2013.
- ^ "Parliamentary business for the week beginning Monday 20 May 2013". parliament.uk. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
- ^ Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Third Reading voting results (Public Whip)
- ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201314/ldhansrd/text/130521-0003.htm#13052195000171. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Lords. 21 May 2013. col. 834.
{{cite book}}
:|chapter-url=
missing title (help) - ^ a b "Forthcoming Business" (PDF). Government Whips' Office, House of Lords. 22 May 2013. pp. 2, 5, 6. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
- ^ a b Lords Divisions results, 4 June 2013, Division 1, Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – official tally from http://www.parliament.uk
- ^ a b c Lyall, Sarah (4 June 2013). "Hidebound Chamber Lets Down Its Hair in Gay-Marriage Debate". New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ a b c Simons, Ned (4 June 2013). "Gay Marriage: Lords Overwhelmingly Approve Bill, Crush Opposition". Huffington Post. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ Davies, Madeleine. "Bishops divided as gay-marriage Bill passes in Lords". Church Times. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ Peter Dominiczak, Robert Winnett and John Bingham (4 June 2013). "Lords give overwhelming backing to gay marriage". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- ^ Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Second Reading voting results (House of Lords)
- ^ a b "Consideration of amendments". UK Parliament. 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
External links