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<p>The Government takes the issue of gender inequalities very seriously. I have carefully
noted the points made about the current system of hereditary peerage in the context
of the Hereditary Titles (Female Succession) Bill. However, this issue is complex
and is linked with several equally complex issues, including the system of courtesy
titles.</p><p>Under the current arrangements, the Equality Act 2010 provides that
neither a life peerage nor a hereditary peerage (as an honour conferred by the Crown),
is a public or personal office for the purposes of the Act. This exemption means the
rules surrounding the by-elections of hereditary peers is ultimately a matter for
the House of Lords in regulating its own affairs.</p>
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