Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 5 July 2011 on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Topical Questions

Question: Pursuant to the answer that the Deputy Prime Minister has just given to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr Reid), does the Deputy Prime Minister not understand that his constant answer that negotiations with Commonwealth countries about reforming the Act of Settlement are ongoing sounds rather like an excuse for inaction, given that no Commonwealth country has shown anything but respect, reverence and adoration for our female monarch for the past half century?

Answer: I strongly share my hon. Friend's— ... We cannot just do something about it. [Hon. Members: ““He didn't!””] No, the hon. Gentleman did not, for 13 years. I totally accept—I have spoken publicly about this—that it seems a little anachronistic that we have rules of succession that appear to discriminate against women, and that clearly should be looked at, but as my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) rightly pointed out, this affects many other Governments as well, and it would be wrong of us to act in haste when we need to act in a way that is open and following discussions—not negotiations, but discussions—between ourselves and other Commonwealth Governments.

Secondary information