PANAMANIAN CONSUL, GLASGOW (DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGE)

HC Deb 18 October 1966 vol 734 cc7-8W

Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what diplomatic privileges are granted to the Panamanian Consul in Glasgow; and how long he has been accredited to this post.

Mrs. White

Foreign Consuls in the United Kingdom are not entitled to diplomatic privilege within the provisions of the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964.

Under Section 462 of the Income Tax Act 1952, the honorary Panamanian Consul in Glasgow, who is a British subject, is however allowed exemption from Income Tax in respect of any official emoluments and of fees paid to him in his official capacity.

It is a generally accepted principle of international law that a consular official should be accorded immunity from legal proceedings in respect of acts performed by him in the exercise of consular functions.

Inviolability of consular archives and of official correspondence between a consular officer and his Government is also generally accepted.

The appointment of the present Panamanian Consul in Glasgow was notified to the Foreign Office on 11th January, 1963, and an exequatur was issued in respect of his appointment on 19th February, 1963.