Bill on succession to the Crown
19 January 2011 (updated on 19 January 2011)
Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East, introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill into the House of Commons on Tuesday 18 January on the succession of the Crown.
Background to the Bill
The main provision of the Succession of the Crown Bill is to remove any distinction between the sexes in determining the succession of the Crown. At present, the Crown passes to male heirs ahead of female heirs.
Find a full summary of the main points of the Bill and keep up to date with all the proceedings on the Succession of the Crown Bill. Also find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library regularly produce briefing papers which inform MPs about key issues. The Library has produced a briefing Paper on the Act of Settlement and the Protestant Succession.
Ten Minute Rule Bills
On a Tuesday or Wednesday after Oral questions, a backbench MP can make a short speech, ten minutes, in favour of a bill they wish to present. If any MP wishes to oppose the motion for leave to bring in the bill they too can make a short speech before a decision is taken, by vote if necessary.
If leave is given, the bill is deemed to have been read a First time, and the MP in charge of the bill names a Friday for Second reading. Learn more about Private Members' Bills and Private Members' Bills procedure.