§ Q7. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to repeal or amend the Royal Marriages Act 1772.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LiptonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that some of the descendants of King George III are now very remotely related to the direct line of succession? Has not the time come for this obsolete relic of an old family squabble to be removed from the Statute Book? Does he remember that as long ago as 1955 the then Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, said that he had this possibility in mind? With a modern Government like ours, can we not get ahead?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not intend to get at issue with my hon. Friend about the interpretation of late 18th century history. Certainly it is rather a long time ago that this Act was passed. This might be a piece of legislation very well suited for the activities of the Law Commissioners, who are streamlining and proposing to bring up-to-date some of the legislation which we find in front of us. I think that that may be the right answer. So far as the present Parliamentary timetable is concerned, we have some much more urgent legislation to put before the House than this.