MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES (Particulars)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Social Affairs, during the year ended 28th February, 1973, (a) how many marriages took place at the Registry of Marriages; and (b) how many cases of divorce occurred, and if he is able to give the grounds therefor.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of marriages which took place at the Registry of Marriages from 1st January to 31st December 1972 was 15,555. For the first two months of this year, i.e. January and February 1973, there were 2,636 marriages. The number of marriages solemnized at the Registry of Muslim Marriages from 1st January to 31st December 1972 was 2,662 and the number of marriages which took place for the first two months of this year was 452.

The number of divorces granted from 1st January to 31st December 1972 by the Supreme Court was 260, and for the period 1st January to 28th February 1973 it was 40. The number of divorces registered with the Shariah Court for the period 1st January to 31st December 1972 was 254, and from 1st January to 28th February 1973 it was 43.

It is regretted that the statistics for the grounds of divorce granted by the Supreme Court as well as the Shariah Court are not readily available.