|
The second reading of the Civil Partnership bill, which will give equal rights to
many thousands of lesbian and gay couples, has been postponed. The
reading, due to take place in the House of Commons on Thursday 16 September, was the first time
the bill could be fully debated by MPs. It will now receive its second reading
in October.
The Civil Partnership bill has already been through the House of Lords, where
amendments that have since been criticised by gay advocacy groups were voted in.
These included the extension of the bill to family members and carers of
disabled people, despite the proposals being criticised by legal experts and groups
representing carers.
Ben Summerskill, the chief executive of Stonewall, said at the time that the amendments
were "tragic" and accused some lords of attempting to derail the bill. It was
hoped that MPs would work to overturn the changes made in the first chamber, but
they will now have to wait until the new date to discuss the bill.
The postponement was due to a conference on Northern Ireland and then the forthcoming
party political conferences.
If passed, the Civil Partnership bill could give lesbian and gay couples similar rights and
responsibilities to those currently enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.
|