Contributions
579 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]That is exactly its point—very much so. That goes to the heart of the key purpose of new clause 1. Relationship support for couples in difficulty can help them to work together,…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I beg to move amendment 1, page 2, line 8, leave out “20” and insert “46” This amendment would extend the minimum legal period for a divorce from six months to one year (with the…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]This Bill is a bad Bill. It sends out the wrong message at the wrong time. No-fault divorce is really state-approved unilateral divorce. Ministers like to say that it is all about…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I thank the Minister for his comments about addressing with the Family Procedure Rule Committee the very great concerns that I have regarding shortage of notice. I look forward to…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I do not believe that I gave the impression, and if I did I wish to correct it, that the majority of cases would be issued on the spur of the moment, but I did say that I believed…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]My hon. Friend used the phrase “the horse has bolted” in reference to the time the petition is initiated. In fact, in recent years tens of thousands of petitions have been…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I thank the hon. Gentleman. Some excellent marriage counselling and, indeed, pre-marriage courses are supplied through church organisations. They are very popular, and I…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]In my view, it is important to ensure that service is recorded. Service can be made by someone who professionally serves notice and then registers that fact at court. At present,…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman listened to my speech when I was talking about the opportunity for more time to discuss potential reconciliation.17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]So now we are substituting the requirement to prove a fact with someone merely being able to state their opinion and that being accepted as fact. Does my hon. Friend think that is…17 Jun 2020HANSARD Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]I absolutely agree—indeed, not just from the very beginning of a marriage, but from before it, as I shall mention shortly when I refer to new clause 1. I return to the important…17 Jun 2020HANSARDDivorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill [Lords]“Can’t we just talk about it? Can I just know why?” Silence. Silence because there is no one to answer the young woman with a baby in her arms and a toddler at her feet, who has…08 Jun 2020HANSARD Abortion Regulations: Northern IrelandProgressing these regulations now that Stormont has returned and following Tuesday’s decision there would show a profound lack of respect for the people of Northern Ireland and…04 Jun 2020HANSARDBuildings, Liturgy and Worship: AdaptationPolling shows that during the current crisis, one in four adults, and one in three of 16 to 30-year-olds, have joined a religious service remotely. Does my hon. Friend welcome…19 May 2020HANSARDBuildings, Liturgy and Worship: AdaptationWhat representations the Church of England has received on the adaptation of its buildings, liturgy and worship prior to their reopening after the covid-19 lockdown.19 May 2020HANSARDAlcohol HarmI thank the Minister for giving way and for stepping in to respond to the debate. She said that most people drink responsibly, but Drinkaware’s statistics, which are very…17 Mar 2020HANSARDAlcohol HarmI beg to move, That this House has considered tackling alcohol harm. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Paisley. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for…17 Mar 2020HANSARDAlcohol HarmThe hon. Gentleman has expressed far more eloquently than I have exactly the issue that many will face. It is particularly interesting that the 55 to 64 age group is one of the…17 Mar 2020HANSARDAlcohol HarmMy hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Having engaged on this subject for many years in this place, I thought that there was nothing that I did not know, but I did not know…17 Mar 2020HANSARDAlcohol HarmI thank the Minister for Care for stepping in to respond to this debate. I also want to thank my hon. Friend the Member for Henley (John Howell), the hon. Members for East Lothian…17 Mar 2020