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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Gay marriage: MPs to vote on proposals for the first time | Gay marriage: MPs to vote on proposals for the first time |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| MPs will get their first chance to vote on plans to allow same-sex marriages in England and Wales next month. | MPs will get their first chance to vote on plans to allow same-sex marriages in England and Wales next month. |
| The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will be debated in Parliament on Tuesday 5 February, the leader of the Commons Andrew Lansley has announced. | The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill will be debated in Parliament on Tuesday 5 February, the leader of the Commons Andrew Lansley has announced. |
| The legislation will allow all religious organisations which want to, to offer gay marriage apart from the Church of England and Church in Wales. | |
| The plans have divided the Conservative Party - its MPs will get a free vote. | |
| Labour and the Lib Dems back the proposals to legalise gay marriage, but Labour said the exemption for the established Church was "disappointing". | Labour and the Lib Dems back the proposals to legalise gay marriage, but Labour said the exemption for the established Church was "disappointing". |
| 'Quadruple lock' | |
| The Church of England and Roman Catholics, among other denominations, have voiced opposition to the plans and are expected to oppose the bill, even with its caveats. | The Church of England and Roman Catholics, among other denominations, have voiced opposition to the plans and are expected to oppose the bill, even with its caveats. |
| But some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour. | But some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour. |
| Culture Secretary Maria Miller told the Commons in December that no religious organisation "will ever be forced to conduct marriages for same-sex couples". | Culture Secretary Maria Miller told the Commons in December that no religious organisation "will ever be forced to conduct marriages for same-sex couples". |
| She said the legislation - which will published on Friday ahead of the bill's second reading four days later - would include a "quadruple lock" to protect religious freedom. | She said the legislation - which will published on Friday ahead of the bill's second reading four days later - would include a "quadruple lock" to protect religious freedom. |
| Faith schools | Faith schools |
| Mrs Miller said that the bill exclude the Church of England and Church in Wales to avoid a clash between Canon Law - which defines marriage as that between a man and a woman - and UK civil law. | |
| But, she said, if the Church of England was to want to opt-in to offering same sex marriages it could. However that would require further legislation. | |
| A public consultation on plans for same-sex marriage received 228,000 submissions. | A public consultation on plans for same-sex marriage received 228,000 submissions. |
| In its response to the consultation the government says it has no plans to change the definition of adultery or non-consummation of a marriage - which means neither could be cited as grounds for divorce in a same-sex marriage, unless the adultery was with someone of the opposite sex. | In its response to the consultation the government says it has no plans to change the definition of adultery or non-consummation of a marriage - which means neither could be cited as grounds for divorce in a same-sex marriage, unless the adultery was with someone of the opposite sex. |
| They also dismiss the fear that the terms "husband" and "wife" could be removed as a result of same sex marriages. | They also dismiss the fear that the terms "husband" and "wife" could be removed as a result of same sex marriages. |
| They also say that teachers "particularly in faith schools will be able to continue to describe their belief that marriage is between a man and woman whilst acknowledging and acting within the new legislative position which enables same sex-couples to get married". | They also say that teachers "particularly in faith schools will be able to continue to describe their belief that marriage is between a man and woman whilst acknowledging and acting within the new legislative position which enables same sex-couples to get married". |
| The Scottish Government has published proposed legislation of its own to introduce gay marriage. | The Scottish Government has published proposed legislation of its own to introduce gay marriage. |
| Under the plans, religious and faith groups would need to "opt in" to perform same-sex marriages. | Under the plans, religious and faith groups would need to "opt in" to perform same-sex marriages. |