HC Deb 24 October 1944 vol 404 cc126-7

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Captain Duncan

I wish to raise a small point on the question of reciprocity. Under the normal diplomatic arrangements there is reciprocity with regard to relief of rates. We had a case in Kensington where the reciprocity did not work in regard to Siam. There is no municipal rating at Bangkok, with the result that the reciprocity did not work. But the Siamese Legation would not pay rates, claiming diplomatic immunity, and the Foreign Office would not make a contribution in lieu of rates, thus increasing the payments of other ratepayers of Kensington. That is one of the unfortunate things which cannot happen very often, but the position should be dealt with under Clause 4, which I am very glad to see in the Bill. When we come to U.N.R.R.A. and some of those other organisations, where are we going to be about things like that? In ordinary diplomatic representation there is always reciprocity between Sovereign States, but U.N.R.R.A. is not a Sovereign State, it is an international organisation. I should like to know, especially as in the Schedule we are deliberately including rates in the immunities, what will be the position of the rating authorities. I shall be grateful it my right hon. Friend can reassure me on that point, and inform the unfortunate ratepayers of the borough concerned whether they are going to have to suffer in this way in future.

4.30 p.m.

Mr. Ivor Thomas (Keighley)

I hope that too much will not be made of this because, quite clearly, foreign missions coming to this country bring far more spending power with them than the ratepayers of Kensington have lost in rates.

Mr. Law

The proposal made by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Kensington (Captain Duncan) is clearly one of substance, and I think the ratepayers might have a legitimate grievance if, as a result of the operation of this Bill, the organisation—whatever it might be—were relieved of the obligation to pay rates and, by such relief, a greater burden were thrown upon the existing ratepayers. I am glad to be able to give my hon. and gallant Friend an assurance that, to the extent to which one of these organisations is relieved of rate, no additional burden shall fall upon the local authority concerned. The relief will be made up to it by the Government.

Question put, and agreed to.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed to.

Clauses 5 and 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.