HL Deb 13 July 1955 vol 193 cc758-60WA
LORD KILLEARN

asked Her Majesty's Government to state the extent to which diplomatic privileges and immunities have been made available, apart from accredited diplomatic missions, as follows: —

  1. (1) The list of international organisations to which Orders in Council according diplomatic privileges and immunities relate; and
  2. (2) The number of persons who are enjoying the benefits of the provisions of such Orders in Council.

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

Orders in Council conferring privileges and immunities are at the present time operative in respect of the following international organisations:

  • The United Nations Organisation.
  • The International Court of Justice.
  • The International Labour Organisation.
  • The International Civil Aviation Organisation.
  • The International Refugee Organisation.
  • The World Health Organisation.
  • The Food and Agriculture Organisation.
  • The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
  • The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.
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  • The European Payments Union.
  • The Council of Europe.
  • The Universal Postal Union.
  • The International Telecommunications Union.
  • The Customs Co-operation Council.
  • The World Meteorological Organisation.
  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
  • The International Sugar Council.
  • The International Monetary Fund.
  • The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The Order relating to the European Payments Union applies only to the assets of the Union and does not confer any privileges or immunities on any person.

Of these organisations, the following maintain their Headquarters, branch offices, or agencies in the United Kingdom:

The United Nations:

  • The United Nations Information Centre.
  • The United Nations Postal Administration.
  • The United Nations Children's Fund. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
  • United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency.
  • The International Labour Organisation (Branch Office).
  • The International Sugar Council (Headquarters).
  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Agencies):
  • The Military Agency for Standardisation.
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  • The European Naval Communications Agency.
  • The European Radio Frequency Agency.

The number of persons at present resident in the United Kingdom for the purposes of their duties in connection with these organisations, and enjoying the appropriate immunities and privileges, is 100. This figure is naturally subject to fluctuation from time to time. It is not possible to give any estimate of the number of persons who may come to the United Kingdom on visits to attend meetings of these organisations and their subsidiary committees or other bodies.

Parliament has lately resolved that Her Majesty should be advised to make Orders in Council in relation to the undermentioned additional organisations:

  • The Western European Union.
  • The Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation.
  • The Commission for Technical Cooperation in Africa South of the Sahara.
These organisations will have their Headquarters in London. So far as can be foreseen at present the number of persons resident in the United Kingdom who will enjoy privileges and immunities in connection with their duties on Western European Union will be about 50 and on the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation about 10. The object of the Order relating to the Commission for Technical Co-operation in Africa South of the Sahara is merely to confer upon that body the legal capacities of a body corporate. It does not provide for the grant of any personal privileges or immunities.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes past seven o'clock.