BS: Which is the silliest British law?

Subject: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:07 AM

Here's the list:

Most ridiculous British law:

1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27 percent)

2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (seven percent)

3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (six percent)

4. Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day (five percent)

5. In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter (four percent)

6. A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (four percent)

7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the king, and the tail of the queen (3.5 percent)

8. It is illegal to avoid telling the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (three percent)

9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour (three percent)

10. In the city of York it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (two percent)

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:19 AM

Canadians believe almost anything, don't they?

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: TheSnail
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:21 AM

I don't think "It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament", it just never happens although anyone who falls ill and is rushed to hospital may be found to be dead on arrival.

Percent of what?

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: DMcG
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:32 AM

Here's a link to the BBC report on this.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:32 AM

I like the fact that it is illegal for an unmarried woman to parachute on a Sunday in Florida.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: The PA
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:33 AM

We dont have a king.

Dead whales head, anyone...................

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:37 AM

Every male aged thirteen or over must practice archery on the village green every Sunday.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Greg B
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 10:58 AM

>7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically
>becomes the property of the king, and the tail of the queen (3.5 >percent)

I don't understand. How does the head of a whale become the queen's
tail? Is it sewn into place?

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: redsnapper
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:27 AM

I do practise archery every Sunday as it happens... so OK on that one.

It's good to know that shooting a Canon near a dwelling is still illegal as I have have encountered numerous tourists doing that to the pretty building I live in.

I think the right for a pregnant woman to relive herself in a policeman's helmet should definitely be retained. That is not silly at all but rather eminently sensible.

RS

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Emma B
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 11:47 AM

It's all too true :)

"The Law Commission is responsible for sifting out ageing laws in an attempt to bring the system up to date, but a few bizarre rules have managed to stay in place. Every year around 3,000 pages are added to the law books so it's no wonder a few slip below the radar. We wouldn't expect people to worry too much about most of these laws – though any Welsh person visiting Hereford or Chester may want to keep their wits about them on Sunday!"

John Collins and Partners top ten weird laws are:

In Hereford you can shoot a Welsh person all day on a Sunday, with a Longbow, in the Cathedral Close.

It is legal for a male to urinate in public, as long it is on the rear wheel of his motor vehicle and his right hand is on the vehicle.

A bed may not be hung out of a window.

It is illegal for a lady to eat chocolates on a public conveyance.

It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises.

Taxi drivers are required to ask all passengers if they have smallpox or the plague.

Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stocks (enacted by Edward VI).

Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked mannequin.

Throughout the whole of England it is illegal to eat mince pies on the 25th of December.

You can shoot a Welsh person with a bow and arrow in Chester, inside the city walls and after midnight.

Repeal bills are passed by Parliament every few years, each one getting rid of hundreds of pages of law.

from - A Warning to the Welsh

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:02 PM

So, Greg Stephens, who's the fool now? I got it from the BBC report. ;-) You don't even know your own British laws!

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:17 PM

As it happens... I know someone whose father did die in the Palace of Westminster - but he was in the bar when he had his fatal heart attack.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Emma B
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:21 PM

and btw...........

In Nova Scotia a person is not allowed to water their grass when it's raining.

In Cobourg, Ontario if you have a water trough in your front yard, it must be filled by 5:00am!

In Guelph, Ontario, the city is classified as a no pee zone!

In Toronto, Ontario, it's illegal to drag a dead horse down Younge St on a Sunday!

In Montreal, Ontario you are not allowed to wash your car in the street or park your car in a way that it blocks your own driveway!

In Ottawa, Ontario you are not allowed to eat ice cream on Bank St on a Sunday!

In Beaconsfield, Canada it's considered an offense to have more than two colours on your house; and you are not allowed to own a log cabin!

In Uxbridge, Ontario it's illegal to have an internet connection faster than 56k!

In Kanata, Ontario, believe this, it's illegal to have a clothes line in your back yard!

Finally, in Oshawa, Ontario it's illegal to climb trees!

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Rasener
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:34 PM

Dennis!

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:40 PM

Little Hawk: you believe everything you see on the BBC? Oh my....

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:42 PM

Though some of these stories are a little dubious, I must let you know that it was undoubtedly a capital offence, not that long ago, to appear disguised in a rabbit warren in England.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:43 PM

By the by, if it is really an offense to die in the Houses of Parliament, does the law prescribe any particular penalty?

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:47 PM

You mean...they've been lying to me, Greg???? My God. I'm utterly gobsmacked and in a state of total shock here...

Is nothing sacred?????

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 12:59 PM

It's pretty difficult to distinguish who is actually dead or alive,especially in the Lords.

D

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Snuffy
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:14 PM

In Italy they used to have the death penalty for attempted suicide3

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Schantieman
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:22 PM

I believe it's also illegal to either carry an open umbrella and/or to whistle in the Burlington Arcade (Piccadilly).

BUT the stupidest law of all (and I'm surprised no-one's mentioned it yet) is SUREly the one requiring a pub to have licence before allowing singing! Especially since no licence is required for enormous TV screens or amplified canned "music"!


Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: TheSnail
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 01:59 PM

Schantieman

the one requiring a pub to have licence before allowing singing!

Worthy of Cromwell.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Peace
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:12 PM

'I don't think "It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament",'

It isn't legal in Canada either, but looking at the Senate, it'd be difficult to know who's who.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: GUEST,Sj
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:43 PM

Oh my! These laws are ridiculous... is there anything they haven't put a blinking law on..???

oh hold on.. im going to fart... is that ok????

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: jeffp
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:44 PM

Only if you have a license.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Peace
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 02:47 PM

That would depend on where you are.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: jeffp
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 03:38 PM

True. I understand you don't need one in Scotland.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:25 PM

Actually, if a pub has a TV in the bar, it should have a broadcasting license. Many factories that used to play the radio over the PA system had to stop when the BBC clamped down on this 'public' broadcasting (i.e., when there were more than 3 people in earshot).

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 03:45 AM

It appears that the UK and Canada are not the only ones with silly laws (I can't vouch for the factuality of any of these):

In Ottumwa, Iowa, "It is unlawful for any male person, within the corporate limits of the (city), to wink at any female person with whom he is unacquainted."

In Los Angeles, you cannot bathe two babies in the same tub at the same time.

In Carmel, N.Y., a man can't go outside while wearing a jacket and pants that do not match.

In St. Louis, it's illegal to sit on the curb of any city street and drink beer from a bucket.

In Hartford, Conn., you aren't allowed to cross a street while walking on your hands.

In Baltimore, it's illegal to throw bales of hay from a second-story window within the city limits. It's also illegal to take a lion to the movies. (Those laws strike me as sensible).

In Oxford, Ohio, it's illegal for a woman to strip off her clothing while standing in front of a man's picture.

In Carrizozo, N.M., it's forbidden for a female to appear unshaven in public (includes legs and face).

In Pennsylvania it is illegal to have over 16 women live in a house together because that constitutes a brothel...however up to 120 men can live together, without breaking the law.

In Michigan, a woman isn't allowed to cut her own hair without her husband's permission.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 04:48 AM

A friend of mine in the police force used to get into trouble with her then sergeant because she insisted on booking taxi drivers because they couldn't produce a bale of hay.
It was still on the statutes that a hackney carriage had to carry hay to feed the horse.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 04:58 AM

I can quite see the need to haul a bale of hay up two flights of stairs,and heave it out the window.Seems reasonable to me!
We do it all the time!

D

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: ad1943
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 06:07 AM

Strange laws indeed.

At Sydney University , Australia, in the 1960s, a student brought a class of red wine to the final examination.

He maintained that it was his right under an old by-law of the university based on that of Oxford University.

The authorities found that it proved to be true. They fined him one glass of red wine for failing to wear his sword to the exam.

Allen in OZ

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Trevor
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 07:48 AM

If you kill a Welshman on the Long Mynd, and send his head to the queen, you will be rewarded with a sixpence.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: GLoux
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 08:41 AM

check out dumblaws.com

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: skipy
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 08:41 AM

Anyone got post code of the Liverpool tropical fish store?
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 11:13 AM

Under British Law ----

It is still legal to shoot a Scotsman on sight in the Isle of Man.

You may purchase a pornographic magazine from a bookshop on a Sunday, but NOT a Bible !!

Similarly, it is a criminal offence to buy chips ( fries) from a CHIP shop on Sunday, but you may buy them from a Chinese restaurant take-away.

The Union Flag , or "Union Jack ", can only LEGALLY be flown from a Royal Fort, or the Jackstaff of a British warship in harbour or at anchor. So, you might see one at Windsor Castle, but not Buckingham Palace, as it"s not a "Royal Fort" !!

It is still against the law to discharge a Steam Trumpet on a Sunday in Scotland ( Luckily ).

And---- A man cannot LEGALLY have anal intercourse with his WIFE, but he CAN with her brother , or indeed any other man !!
( Couldn"t care less, I"m not married !! ).

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 11:30 AM

The law about shooting Scotsmen on sight, I can understand. I'm surprised it hasn't been enacted in a great many other places as well... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 11:33 AM

It is also permissible to use a crossbow to shoot someone who talks too much about William Shatneron, any day of the week during a leap year.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: greg stephens
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 11:35 AM

or, indeed, William Shatner, which is what William Shatneron changed his name to.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 11:48 AM

I can readily understand how that might have happened... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Mr Red
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 02:13 PM

BUT the stupidest law of all (and I'm surprised no-one's mentioned it yet) is SUREly the one requiring a pub to have licence before allowing singing! Especially since no licence is required for enormous TV screens or amplified canned "music"!


AND they don't need a licemce when the TV viewers strat to sing or chant, and fire limits for drunken football fans are considerably higher because they aren't singing are they? Tell me the poitician that dares to support a bill to affect just about anything on football and I'll show you an ex-politician.

Now someone tell me the story of Fire Island on or attached to Long Islan NY. Isn't the local sport inventing the most ridiculaous laws and tourist go there just for the fun of being fined?

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 02:26 PM

Yes, Mr Red...we have already had an avalanche of responses to that effect... ;-) It is, indeed, a collosally stupid law, one that would undoubtedly be overthrown by a violent revolution if there were only enough folkies in the United Kingdom. Alas, there are not!

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 02:46 PM

"BUT the stupidest law of all (and I'm surprised no-one's mentioned it yet) is SUREly the one requiring a pub to have licence before allowing singing! Especially since no licence is required for enormous TV screens or amplified canned "music"!"

Stupid indeed, but capped by the corollary

Morris dancing is (rightly) exempt from this law. So I can play guitar in support of twelve large men enthusiastically waving huge chestnut staves, and it is legal to do so.

However, if they sit down to rest and have a pint of ale, as is their wont, I must immediately cease and desist, on grounds of public safety, from using my dangerous instrument.

I'd like to see the law dumb enough to cap that.

Any takers?
Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 02:48 PM

Uh......





Well......





Uh.........




Well, no. I guess not.

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Schantieman
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 03:03 PM

Quite

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 09 Nov 07 - 08:40 AM

So if you're a Scotsman you had better not live in York, or you may be either killed or prosecuted depending on whether you practise archery on Sundays!
   In England we are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. However, if our cars are parked on our own land when the road tax expires and we haven't declared Statutory Off-Road Notification, we can be found guilty of failing to declare that we are innocent (of keeping or using an untaxed vehicle on the public road).

Subject: RE: BS: Which is the silliest British law?
From: Old Nick
Date: 09 Nov 07 - 09:33 AM

At the time of the petrol strike a few years ago I was told by a colleague who owned a horse that if she rode her horse to work the employer was legally obliged to provide stabling for it.
Now, what about laws that it's silly that we don't have? How about, it's ok to shoot people in oversized jeans showing their underwear - or worse! Or, it's ok to shoot people who play tinny music or have a loud, boring conversation on their mobile phone on public transport.............

Old Nick, grumpy old man and proud of it.