Tag: same sex marriage

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech in the Lords

On 3rd June 2013 the House of Lords considered the Government’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at its Second Reading. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby, spoke in the debate and his remarks are below, with extracts from speeches made by Peers where reference is made.

Archbishop of CanterburyThe Archbishop of Canterbury: My Lords, the initial proposals published at the end of the autumn have needed much work to get them into today’s form. Much of that work has been done through detailed legal effort and discussion. I am deeply grateful to the DCMS teams and especially to the Secretary of State for the thoughtful way in which she has listened and the degree to which she has been willing to make changes in order to arrive at the stage we have reached today. Continue reading “Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Archbishop of Canterbury’s speech in the Lords”

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Church gives evidence to MPs on Public Bill Committee

On 12th February 2013 the House of Commons Public Bill Committee scrutinising the Government’s Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill heard evidence from witnesses from the Church of England. The Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham James, Secretary General of the Synod, William Fittall and Deputy  Legal Adviser, Revd Alexander McGregor, all appeared before the Committee. Gary Streeter MP chaired the session. A transcript of their evidence is below: Continue reading “Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill – Church gives evidence to MPs on Public Bill Committee”