Written question asked by Baroness Clark of Kilwinning (Labour) on Monday, 16 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 January 2006. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Monday, 23 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dukedom of Leinster

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the disputed claim to the Dukedom of Leinster.

Answer: The Dukedom of Leinster is the Premier Dukedom of Ireland created by Letters Patent in 1766. Gerald Fitzgerald the late 8th Duke of Leinster formerly sat in the House of Lords by virtue of a Viscountcy of Great Britain. This Viscountcy was created by Letters Patent in 1747.The late 8th Duke had proved his succession to the Viscountcy of Great Britain and took his seat on 21 October 1976 on the death of his father Edward the 7th Duke who died in March 1976. The late 8th Duke subsequently established formally his succession to the Dukedom in March 1977. Following the 8th Duke's death in December 2004, his only son Maurice Fitzgerald submitted a claim through the Crown Office, to prove his succession to the peerage.A competing claim to the title has also been submitted on behalf of Paul Maurice Fitzgerald who claims to be the true heir apparent of the 5th Duke.Both claims are presently under consideration by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs.

Secondary information