THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATION TO THE UK: DIPLOMATIC STATUS

HL Deb 04 December 1979 vol 403 cc683-4WA

Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What changes have been made, or are contemplated, or are under consideration, in the diplomatic status of the Apostolic Delegation to the United Kingdom.

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS (Lord Carrington)

The Government have decided to grant, as a matter of courtesy, diplomatic status to the Apostolic Delgate, who is thus a diplomatic agent within the meaning of the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964, with effect from 1st November. He continues, however, not to be accredited to the Court of St. James's as a Head of Mission, but rather to the Roman Catholic hierarchy of England, Wales and Scotland. Diplomatic status also now extends to the Delegate's Counsellor and to the premises and property of the Delegation. The question of any further changes in the status of the Apostolic Delegate is kept under review.