To ask the Solicitor-General (1) who initiated the discussions between the Palace, Farrers, the Attorney-General's Secretariat, the Attorney-General, a Senior District Judge, and President of the Family Division on the practice of the sealing of royal wills, leading to the creation of a document considering the practices for the closure of royal wills which was created in discussions before and after the death of the late Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret Countess of Snowdon, but prior to the issue of any proceedings; (319368)

There have from time to time for many years been discussions between interested parties about the practice of the sealing of royal wills. It is not usual practice to comment on discussions undertaken in confidence with the Royal Household or their legal representatives.

To ask the Solicitor-General whether the Attorney-General attended a court hearing to determine whether the will of (a) Her Majesty the Queen Mother and (b) Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon should be sealed. (319370)

The Attorney-General did attend court hearings to determine whether the wills of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret should be sealed.