Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Clegg and Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton

Tuesday 22nd May 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con)]

5. What plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals on the rules governing succession to the Crown.

[The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg)]

We are working closely with the New Zealand Government to secure the agreement of all the Commonwealth realms to the introduction of UK primary legislation on royal succession. Legislation will be introduced once we have secured this agreement and when parliamentary time allows.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

If the birds and the bees were to deliver that blessing to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge—and, indeed, the nation as a whole—that little girl would be covered by these provisions and changes to the rules of succession, because they operate as from the time of the declaration at the Commonwealth summit last October. It is important to remember that the rules are de facto in place, even though de jure they still need to be implemented through legislation in the way I have described.

[Mark Lancaster]

Will the Deputy Prime Minister confirm that there are no plans to change the requirement for the monarch to be a communicant of the Church of England?

[The Deputy Prime Minister]

There are no plans whatsoever.