§ 3.24 p.m.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (LORD SHEPHERD)My Lords, this is a simple Order. In 1952 Parliament passed the Diplomatic Immunities (Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland) Act, which provided certain immunities to consular officers of independent Commonwealth countries. Section 1(6) of the Act gave a list of those countries. Since then 785 other countries that have become independent have been granted the same immunities for their officers. These provisions have been included in the Independence Acts. The purpose of this Order is to include in those countries whose officers have restricted immunity the representatives of the Associated States in the Caribbean. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Draft Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland (Immunities) (No. 3) Order 1967, laid before the House on November 7, be approved.—(Lord Shepherd.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.