"A CHOICE BY RIGHT": THE REPORT BY THE WORKING GROUP ON FORCED MARRIAGES

Early day motion 928, tabled 5 July 2000 by Ann Cryer (Labour). Signed by 87 members.

That this House congratulates and thanks the members of the Working Group on Forced Marriage for their excellent and balanced report on this subject; recognises that they took on a difficult, controversial and demanding role which may well result in criticisms from their own communities, where there is still a reluctance to accept that a problem exists; however, is quite certain that they will have the affection and gratitude of the very many young people who are forced into a marriage achieved frequently by ill-treatment followed by unhappiness and often tragedy; and hopes that the report will represent a turning point in the history and fortunes of this country's ethnic minority communities, which will ultimately lead to all of our young people having a choice by right.

Signatures by party: Labour 66, Liberal Democrat 13, Conservative 4, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Unknown 1.