Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Baroness Burt of Solihull (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Succession to the Throne

Question: May I express my delight that the coalition Government have at last ensured fairness and equality in succession to the throne? Does the Deputy Prime Minister share my disappointment, however, that although I and others raised this matter many times under the previous Government, they put in into the ““too difficult”” box for 13 years?

Answer: I certainly think that most reasonable people would say that, in this day and age, it cannot be right to have rules that discriminate on the basis of gender or religion. This is clearly a sensitive area, however. I have always been explicit in my own view, which I have expressed publicly on several occasions over the years, that we needed to look at these rules. I am delighted that we have now been able to mobilise a consensus among all the Commonwealth realms, so that we can now put this into practice.

Secondary information