HC Deb 22 July 1974 vol 877 c342W
Mr. Radice

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is proposed to make any change in the designation of British Government offices in Canadian cities outside Ottawa.

Mr. Hattersley

Yes. It was agreed at a conference of Commonwealth countries held in London in 1972 that, where a Commonwealth Government thought consular titles appropriate for its outposts in this country, the British Government would be glad to consider a request for a change to such titles on a reciprocal basis. Following an approach from the Canadian Government in October 1973, we have agreed that their offices in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast will adopt consular titles, as will the British Government Offices and their staff in Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. These changes will take effect from 1st August 1974.

The adoption of these titles does not mean that our posts in Canada will take on consular functions not hitherto performed by them, and the existing arrangements for the performance of certain statutory consular functions by the host Government will continue. It is therefore not proposed to introduce Orders in Council under Section 13 of the Consular Relations Act 1968 to enable United Kingdom consular officials to perform such functions in Canada.