Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Lewis Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd June 2015

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Mike Penning Portrait The Minister for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice (Mike Penning)
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My hon. Friend raises a really important issue. One minute our servicemen are heroes, and the next minute they are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. Charities such as Care after Combat, which was recently formed, are doing fantastic work that is being piloted in our prisons. I would like to meet my hon. Friend again to see how we can work together to ensure that our heroes do not end up in the criminal justice system.

Clive Lewis Portrait Clive Lewis (Norwich South) (Lab)
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T3. Last week the Scottish Government celebrated the 10th anniversary of legal humanist marriage. Given their popularity —there has been an upsurge in the number of such marriages in that country—and support in both Houses, can the Minister give us an idea of whether the Government would like to implement something similar in this country?

Caroline Dinenage Portrait Caroline Dinenage
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Yes, marriage is one of our most important institutions and we need to make sure that any changes to the law are carried out with care. That is why we have asked the Law Commission to undertake a preliminary scoping study to prepare the way for potential future reform. It is due to report in December and then the Government will consider the next steps very carefully.