Honours reform could abolish titles

The ancient titles of "Sir", "Dame", "Lord" and "Lady" could be scrapped in a sweeping reform of the honours system.

The proposal to abolish the titles, dating back to medieval times, is included in a discussion paper issued by the Commons Public Administration Committee.

The committee - which is looking at reform of the honours system - also questioned whether the concept of an "Order of the British Empire" was now outdated and should be replaced.

The most radical option would be to do away with the honours system altogether, although the committee acknowledged that there was "very little support" for complete abolition.

It raised the prospect that it could be scaled back - from 3,000 new honours a year to just 10 or 100.

The committee also said that the way the system was structured, with five levels of honours, was open to criticism that it exacerbated social divisions.

It quoted the singer Dusty Springfield, who, on being told that she had been awarded the OBE, replied: "Isn't that what they give to cleaners?"

The committee is currently inviting submissions on the honours system and is expected to publish its recommendations later this year.

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