SECTIONS 2 AND 3 ACT OF SETTLEMENT 1701

Early day motion 1346, tabled 20 May 2002 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 125 members.

That this House condemns the religious discrimination that exists against Roman Catholics in sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701 by excluding Roman Catholics from the line of Succession to the Throne and also any member of the Royal Family who marries a Roman Catholic; recognises that sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701 are in violation of article 9.2 (freedom of religion of belief) of the European Convention on Human Rights; notes the comments by the Prime Minister that the anti-Catholic aspects of the Act of Settlement 1701 are plainly discriminatory and welcomes his commitment to address this issue during this Parliament; recognises that such a move during the year of the Queen's Golden Jubilee would indicate recognition of the United Kingdom's acceptance and tolerance of a multifaith, multicultural society; notes the broad support to amend sections 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701; further congratulates the Scottish Parliament for passing a motion condemning the existence of section 2 and 3 of the Act of Settlement 1701; and urges the Government to amend the Act of Settlement 1701 to remove its discriminatory nature.

Signatures by party: Labour 86, Liberal Democrat 22, Labour/Co-operative 6, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3.