§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what initiative he is taking with foreign Governments in negotiating a new international convention, with a view to reducing the number of persons enjoying diplomatic immunity to ambassadors and high commissioners and their immediate staffs.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerIn 1961, Her Majesty's Government took part, together with 81 other States, in an international conference which adopted the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Although this Convention will not reduce the number of foreign and Commonwealth staff enjoying some degree of diplomatic immunity, its general effect will be a restriction of jurisdictional immunities.
§ Mr. Clark Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names and designations of organisations, other than embassies, legations and high commissions, whose personnel enjoy diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom.
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§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThese organisations, with the numbers of qualifying persons, are:
- Western European Union—The Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General.
- Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation—The Secretary General.
- European Coal and Steel Community—The Chief Representative of the High Authority.
These four persons are entitled to the same degree of immunity from suit and legal process as is accorded to an envoy of a foreign sovereign power accredited to Her Majesty.