Charles Walker asks the Foreign Secretary about links between forced marriages and honour killings and also about powers to declare forced marriages null and void.

Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research she has conducted on whether there is a link between forced marriages and honour killings; and if she will make a statement. [89187]

Dr. Howells: The Government acknowledge that domestic violence includes culturally specific forms of harm, which include forced marriage and 'honour' based or related violence, including murder in the name of honour.

The Home Office Police Standards Unit (PSU) have been working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Centre for Policing Excellence to raise the awareness of police officers and staff in relation to the identification and investigation of 'honour' related violence.

The PSU has been promoting the use of a Risk Assessment toolkit for domestic violence incidents which includes the presence of factors in relation to so-called 'honour' crimes such as separation/ child contact, pregnancy, escalation, community awareness/isolation, stalking, and sexual offences. The PSU and the Metropolitan Police Service held an International Conference on Honour Related Violence on 21-22 March in London to examine the extent of 'honour' based violence and encourage the development of partnerships between agencies. It also looked at how to intervene to prevent harm to those at risk, consider education, and raise awareness of national guidance.

The Metropolitan Police Homicide Prevention Unit has produced a report on the strategic scope of forced marriage, which examined reported incidents of forced marriage and related crimes, and aimed to support the work and analysis of the 'Murder in the Name of So-called Honour' Strategic Homicide Prevention Working Group. All police forces in England and Wales are developing honour-based violence action plans. The police services in England and Wales continue to conduct intelligence and analysis work on honour based violence (of which forced marriage is an aspect).

Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers she has to declare forced marriages null and void; and if she will make a statement. [89188]

Dr. Howells: The Government have made clear that forced marriage is an abuse of human rights and can, in certain circumstances, be a form of domestic violence or child abuse. Those forcing their children into marriage can be prosecuted for a range of criminal offences under the criminal law.

The voluntary consent of both parties is necessary for a valid marriage. If someone is forced into marriage, the marriage is voidable under s.12 Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 on the grounds of lack of valid consent. Victims of forced marriage can submit a nullity petition to the court and obtain a decree of nullity.

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