HL Deb 29 June 1984 vol 453 cc1219-20WA
Lord Diamond

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the ratification by the United Kingdom of the United Nations Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women will mean that heriditary powers and titles will in future descend to the eldest child, irrespective of sex.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

It is our intention, should we decide to ratify this convention, to enter a reservation which would exclude the legal effect of its provisions in their application to the United Kingdom with regard to the succession to, or possession and enjoyment of, the Throne, the Peerage, titles of honour, social precedence or armorial bearings.