§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what personnel at British embassies and consular offices abroad are qualified to give information on Scottish legal matters to inquirers.
§ Mr. MulleyThe particular functions of Embassies and Consular Posts which relate to legal matters are largely provided for in Civil Procedure Conventions, Consular Conventions and Extradition Treaties. These conventions and treaties apply to the United Kingdom as a whole, and Embassy and Consular personnel are in general competent to interpret their operation in relation to Scotland. Cases of difficulty are referred to the Foreign Office, who, if Scottish law is involved, consult the Lord Advocate's Department. Persons wishing to make inquiries about their private rights and obligations have to be referred to solicitors in the United Kingdom.