British ministers rule out change to succession law

Britain's government has ruled out any immediate plans to scrap a law forcing the oldest daughter of a monarch to make way for a younger brother in the line of succession to the throne.

Despite recent reports suggesting ministers planned to give princesses equal rights in the Single Equality Bill to be drafted later this year, the government today said there would be no change in 2008.

"To bring about changes to the law on succession would be a complex undertaking involving amendment or repeal of a number of items of related legislation, as well as requiring the consent of legislatures of member nations of the Commonwealth," a government statement said.

"We are, of course, ready to consider the arguments in this complex area but there are no immediate plans to legislate."

The comments come a week after Solicitor-General Vera Baird called for changes to the 300-year-old law, which she described as "unfair" and a "load of rubbish".

The 1701 Act of Settlement means male heirs take precedence for the British throne.

Changes to the law must be agreed by the parliaments in all countries which have the Queen as head of state, including New Zealand and Australia.

- AAP