LETTER : Your jackpot prize - a peerage

Sir: In so far as the hereditary principle can still be justified in the governance of nations, Lord Archer's Bill to place men and women on an equal footing with regard to the succession to the throne has much to commend it (report, 10 December).

However, under the Statute of Westminster, no change to the law of succession to the British throne may be made without the consent of the parliaments of the Dominions (of which there are now upwards of a dozen). I trust that this aspect of the law will be given serious attention before Lord Archer's proposal is allowed to progress to Royal Assent.

STEPHEN G LINSTEAD

Solihull,

West Midlands