ance. An analysis based on changes in the conjugal status of the popula- tion suggests that there are now in the region of three unregistered mar- riages for every seven registered, excluding remarriages of the type mentioned in paragraph 160. As mentioned in previous Reports the position with respect to these unregistered marriages is far from satis- factory, the great majority being of doubtful validity since they have been contracted not in accordance with the full traditional forms prescribed by Chinese custom, but in supposed conformity with articles 980 to 988 of the Civil Code of the former Nationalist Government of China. There are also large numbers of irregular unions in which the two parties live together, have children, and are regarded by themselves and others as to all intents and purposes married.
150. Much thought has been given in the past to this unsatisfactory situation and the measures required to deal with it, and a number of reports on the subject have been published. In mid-1965 unanimous agreement was reached between the Attorney General, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and the Chinese unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative Councils as to the recommendations that should be put to the Government, and these were submitted in the form of a joint report known as the McDouall-Heenan Report. Subsequently the Executive Council endorsed the recommendations, which were then transmitted to the Colonial Office and approved by the Secretary of State. In May 1967, the Secretariat published a White Paper setting out the approved recommendations in relatively simple terms for the information of the public at large, and on 18th July 1969 a draft Marriage Reform Bill was published in the Gazette for general information and comments before its introduction to the Legislative Council.
151. Subsequently, on 10th July 1970, the Marriage Reform Ordin- ance was enacted (see paragraph 207). Certain of its provisions, including those relating to the post-registration of customary and 'modern' marriages, came into force immediately. The first application for post-registration was received at the Yuen Long Marriage Registry on 12th August 1970, and by the end of the year under review 173 post- registrations had been effected.
152. The principal Marriage Registry is located in the City Hall. In addition there are in the urban areas full-time registries at Causeway
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