§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons in the United Kingdom today enjoy full or partial diplomatic immunity; how many of these are on the strength of an embassy or legation; and how many are members of non-sovereign international organisations.
§ Commander NobleA total of 3,090 persons, including 898 wives, are at present officially regarded as entitled to claim diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom as Heads of foreign diplomatic Missions accredited to the Court of St. James's or members of their respective staffs.
In addition, 511 persons, including 111 wives, being members of the staffs of foreign diplomatic Missions, enjoy immunity of a restricted kind under the provisions of the Diplomatic Immunities Restriction Act, 1955 (4 Eliz. 2, Ch. 21).
Immunities of the kind prescribed in the Diplomatic Immunities (Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland) Act, 1952 (15 and 16 Geo. 6 and 1 Eliz. 2, Ch. 18) are also enjoyed by 2,633 persons, including 869 wives, as High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries in London and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland or members of their respective staffs.
A like immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to the Head of a foreign diplomatic Mission is currently enjoyed in the United Kingdom by the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of Western European Union, upon whom it has been conferred by Order in Council made under the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Act, 1950 (14 Geo. 6, Ch. 14): and by the Chief Representative in the United Kingdom of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, in accordance with the provisions of the European Coal and Steel Community Act, 1955 (4 Eliz. 2, Ch. 4).
Immunity from suit and legal process in respect of things done or omitted to be done in the course of the performance of official duties is at present enjoyed in the United Kingdom by 132 officials of international organisations and by 7 members of the staff of the Delegation of the European Coal and Steel Community.