Clause 3 - Formation of civil partnership by registration

Part of Civil Partnership Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee am 3:00 pm ar 21 Hydref 2004.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Alan Duncan Alan Duncan Shadow Secretary of State for International Development 3:00, 21 Hydref 2004

Given that there can be no religious service while the civil partnership registrar is officiating, is it not the case that even as the Bill is constituted there can be a clear-cut 20 minutes in which the documents are signed and the partners say, ''Thanks, registrar. You might not have to hop it but your official duties are over and we're going to have a religious service.'' That is permissible as an immediately consecutive event, is it not?