HC Deb 01 April 1963 vol 675 c9W
79. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the machinery for ensuring reciprocity in privileges for British diplomats working in overseas countries and foreign diplomats working in Great Britain.

Mr. Heath

Reciprocity with regard to some diplomatic privileges follows from the fact that the privileges are based on general international law or long-established international practice.

Other privileges are accorded on the basis of formal or informal reciprocal arrangements.

When it comes into force, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations will constitute a comprehensive international code governing diplomatic privileges.