The government last week released a green paper on its plans to strengthen marriage and uphold the importance of family life.

The Question Time panel and audience however had their own ideas on the matter

Assistant Editor of The Express, Peter Hitchens said: "The government seems to be saying that marriage is the best way to bring up children - which is undoubtedly true - but really it is neutral because it is afraid of offending its ultra-feminist, homosexual and sexual-liberationist wing."

Health Secretary Frank Dobson however said Mr Hitchens was "living in a world 50 years ago when there was a mum and dad in every family, 2.5 children and they all lived happily ever after."

Maeve Sherlock, who as Director of the National Council for One Parent Families has direct experience of this issue, said: "By pushing marriage, the government is being too simplistic - life is not that simple anymore."

And Liberal Democrat Baroness Shirley Williams said: "Children lose out in our consumer society and it's high time a government said that if you decide to have kids you are taking on a lifetime commitment."

They were joined by Shadow Education and Employment Secretary Peter Willetts .

Other hot topics raised were media coverage of politicians' private affairs, the life imprisonment of Myra Hindley and Britain entering the Single European Currency.

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