Oral Answers to Questions — Hong Kong – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 26 Tachwedd 1964.
Mr Henry Brewis
, Galloway
12:00,
26 Tachwedd 1964
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will introduce a uniform civil marriage ordinance for Hong Kong and withdraw legal recognition from marriages celebrated under Chinese marriage customs.
Mrs Eirene White
, Flintshire East
I am not convinced that the measures proposed by the hon. Member would be appropriate in the circumstances in Hong Kong, but I fully recognise the need for some revision of the marriage Laws of Hong Kong and I am in communication with the Governor on the subject.
Mr Henry Brewis
, Galloway
While thanking the hon. Lady for that reply, may I ask her if it is correct that these marriages by Chinese marriage custom are recognised in Hong Kong only and not in China and other nearby territories? Is it not time that something was done about it?
Mrs Eirene White
, Flintshire East
There are very many considerations involved, not only of marriage but of inheritance. As the hon. Gentleman may know, a Government white paper was issued in 1961. Various representations have been received, and we hope to be able to consider the matter further.
Miss Joan Vickers
, Plymouth, Devonport
In view of the Marriage Convention of the United Nations and also the fact that the Singapore Government have very good marriage Laws on similar lines, may I ask the hon. Lady if she will look into the matter and see what can be done about Hong Kong?
Mrs Eirene White
, Flintshire East
I am quite sure that the authorities in Hong Kong are aware of the United Nations recommendations, and that the whole matter is still subject to discussion there.
Laws are the rules by which a country is governed. Britain has a long history of law making and the laws of this country can be divided into three types:- 1) Statute Laws are the laws that have been made by Parliament. 2) Case Law is law that has been established from cases tried in the courts - the laws arise from test cases. The result of the test case creates a precedent on which future cases are judged. 3) Common Law is a part of English Law, which has not come from Parliament. It consists of rules of law which have developed from customs or judgements made in courts over hundreds of years. For example until 1861 Parliament had never passed a law saying that murder was an offence. From the earliest times courts had judged that murder was a crime so there was no need to make a law.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Laws are the rules by which a country is governed. Britain has a long history of law making and the laws of this country can be divided into three types:- 1) Statute Laws are the laws that have been made by Parliament. 2) Case Law is law that has been established from cases tried in the courts - the laws arise from test cases. The result of the test case creates a precedent on which future cases are judged. 3) Common Law is a part of English Law, which has not come from Parliament. It consists of rules of law which have developed from customs or judgements made in courts over hundreds of years. For example until 1861 Parliament had never passed a law saying that murder was an offence. From the earliest times courts had judged that murder was a crime so there was no need to make a law.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
