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<p>The Government continues to listen carefully to the debate on the legal age of
marriage. Justice officials liaise closely with officials in other departments that
have an interest in this matter and in forced marriage, which Government made an offence
in 2014.</p><p>I am aware of my Hon. Friend’s Private Members’ Bill which seeks to
raise the age for marriage and civil partnership formation in England Wales from sixteen
or seventeen to eighteen years of age. It also seeks to provide for related offences
including an offence of failing to protect a child from entering marriage. Her Bill
would also place a requirement on certain professionals to notify the police, if any
such marriage has taken place, or could take place, and seeks to provide for a new
child marriage protection order.</p><p>My noble and learned friend Lord Wolfson, in
his new role as minister for family justice, will arrange to meet with my hon. friend
shortly to discuss these important issues with her.</p>
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