Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Debate

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Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland)

Rosie Winterton Excerpts
1st reading: House of Commons
Wednesday 28th March 2018

(6 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Bill 2017-19 View all Marriage (Same Sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) (No.2) Bill 2017-19 Debates Read Hansard Text

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Ged Killen Portrait Ged Killen (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/Co-op)
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On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I think the will of the House is now clear in respect of the Bill introduced by my hon. Friend the Member for St Helens North (Conor McGinn). I seek advice on whether you have had any notification from the Government of their intention to come to the House to make a statement on how they intend to proceed to introduce same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Rosie Winterton Portrait Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)
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I have not had any such notification, although I would point out that the Bill has only just this minute gone through. Those on the Treasury Bench, however, will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s comments.

Wes Streeting Portrait Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab)
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On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. I am very proud of my hon. Friend the Member for St Helens North (Conor McGinn) for that powerful speech. Earlier today, my constituent Richard Angell arrived in Parliament wearing a rainbow flag to support the campaign, but was asked by House security to remove it. It was confiscated until he left. I am sure the individual officers of the House were just following the rules, but I wonder whether you can clarify whether that was the appropriate course of action. If they were following the rules, can you give us some advice on how the rules might be revised, so that this powerful symbol of equality can be worn throughout our Parliament?

Rosie Winterton Portrait Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Rosie Winterton)
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that point of order. I will certainly look into the matter he raises and get back to him.