Responses to Civil Partnership:A framework for the legal recognition ...

FOREWORDOn the 30th June 2003 I launched the Government’sconsultation paper, ‘Civil partnership: a framework forthe legal recognition of same-sex couples’.The consultation sought views on the Government’sproposal to create a civil partnership registrationscheme for same-sex couples in England and Wales.The response to the consultation paper has beentremendous and 3,167 responses were received by theWomen and Equality Unit in the Department of Tradeand Industry and the Equality Unit in the NationalAssembly of Wales.Lesbian, gay and bisexual groups, voluntary organisations, local authorities,businesses, equality practitioners and religious groups all contributed to theconsultation process and hundreds of individuals sent in their comments throughletters, e-mails, postcards, petitions and posters.I would like to thank those who responded to the consultation for their thoughtfuland constructive comments on the issues raised in the paper.The report that follows details what you told us, analyses the issues you raised andanswers your questions.I hope that you will find it useful and informative.Jacqui Smith, MPMinister of State for Industry and the Regions and Deputy Minister for Women and Equality.7