asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 5 March (WA 6) on statutes that discriminate against Roman Catholics, why they currently have no plans to bring forward legislation to remove statutory provisions mentioned in the Answer.

The Government have always stood firmly against discrimination in all its forms, including against Roman Catholics, and they will continue to do so. To bring about change to the law on succession would be a complex undertaking involving amendment or repeal of a number of items of related legislation, as well as requiring the consent of legislatures of member nations of the Commonwealth. It would raise other major constitutional issues. The Government already have a heavy legislative programme and therefore have no plans to legislate in this area.