To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what advice he has received on the compatibility with the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 of (a) the rights of illegitimates in succession to the Crown and (b) the UK’s interpretative declaration in respect of Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on the Legal Status of Children born out of Wedlock. (304268)

The Human Rights Act 1998 does not require the UK to change the law so as to admit illegitimate children to the line of succession to the Crown. The UK’s interpretative declaration in respect of Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on the Legal Status of Children Born out of Wedlock is compatible with the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what advice was given to Ministers on the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the rights of illegitimates in succession to the Crown (a) prior to and (b) during the passage of the legislation through Parliament. (304269)

This information is not readily accessible and if it exists could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Government has taken in respect of the UK’s interpretative declaration in respect of Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on the Legal Status of Children born out of Wedlock in order to secure the conformity in UK law required by Article 1 of the Convention. (304270)

UK law already conforms with the provisions of the Convention and therefore no such steps are necessary. The declaration simply confirms our understanding of the effect of Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention.