To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) of 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1180, on civil partnership ceremonies, which organisations have registered their (a) support for and (b) opposition to legal reform to permit homosexual marriage; and if she will make a statement.

We announced on 17 September 2011 our intention to publish a formal consultation on equal civil marriage in March 2012. This would allow us to make any legislative changes before the end of this Parliament.

From now until the publication of the consultation we will be meeting with a wide range of people with an interest in this issue, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups and religious and non-religious organisations to help shape the formal consultation document. These discussions have been held on a confidential basis and we have not asked organisations to register their support or opposition for this policy. When the consultation opens in March 2012, we will welcome comments from a wide range of organisations and individuals.