§ Commander Courtneyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will place in the Library of the House of Commons for the convenience of hon. Members copies of the bilateral agreements at present in force with four countries, which extend the range of diplomatic privileges and immunities accorded to the representatives of these countries in London beyond those customarily accorded to others with which the United Kingdom has diplomatic relations.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe arrangements to which I take it that my hon. and gallant Friend refers do not in fact confer any immunity beyond that available under present United Kingdom law. They merely ensure that that degree of immunity is accorded on a reciprocal basis.
These arrangements are contained not in formal agreements but in correspondence 146W between representatives of Governments. Before the texts of such arrangements could be made public, the consent of the foreign Governments concerned would have to be obtained.