Top 10

Britain's 10 most ludicrous laws

The BBC has list of Britain's 10 most ludicrous pieces of legislation, as voted for in a poll run by UKTV Gold.It may soon need revising, because there were 29 new bills promised in the Queen's Speech today. But for the time being here is the Top 10 (with the percentage voting for each law):
It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27%)
It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British king or queen's image upside-down (7%)
It is illegal for a woman to be topless in Liverpool except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (6%)
Eating mince pies on Christmas Day is banned (5%)
If someone knocks on your door in Scotland and requires the use of your toilet, you are required to let them enter (4%)
In the UK a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman's helmet (4%)
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%)
It is illegal not to tell the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (3%)
It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour (3%)
It is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (2%)
The BBC also gives an international Top 10. Highlights include:
In Ohio, it is illegal to get a fish drunk;
Women in Vermont must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.