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Marriages and civil partnerships to be allowed in Parliament
Posted by Mark Cunningham
New rules will mean that marriages and civil partnerships will be able to take place in the Houses of Parliament, which are located on the north bank of the River Thames.
Presently, MPs, peers and certain parliamentary officials are permitted to use the Chapel of St Mary in the building to tie the knot, but this is not available for civil ceremonies.
After a review of the issue launched last year by speaker John Bercow following encouragement by Gordon Brown, the Jubilee Room and the MPs' dining room have been approved for use in non-religious unions.
According to Westminster's superintendent registrar Alison Cathcart, the changes will add to the "rich repertoire" of venues available in the area of Westminster.
She went on to state: "I'm delighted that this prestigious venue has been granted approval and very much look forward to conducting the first civil ceremony in such famous and historical settings."
17/02/2010 15:37
News category: Family