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exemption from taxation and customs duties.
Although we
the number
cannot
of
This paragraph is unlikely to be controversial.
rule out
to objections
the resulting increase in
persons in London enjoying privileges
privileges and immunities, Ministers can
reasonably point out that it only amounts to an
increase of five.
Moreover the individuals concerned are likely to be in London for
only a few days a year.
It might be suggested that we could have fulfilled our obligations under Annex II simply by requesting that the Chinese should attach their members of the Joint Liaison Group to
to the Chinese Embassy in
London. If however the Chinese were
to refuse then we would not be able to fulfil our obligations under Annex II. The only safe way to proceed therefore
legislate to cover this case. The Joint
is to
Liaison Group could not be covered under the International
Act 1968 because Organisations
it is neither an international
organisation (Section
nor an international conference
6).
1)
(Section
This
and
of paragraph
the Bill will
will provide all the privileges immunities of the person, including inviolability of all papers they carry with them, etc as well as enabling the Secretary of State to issue conclusive certificates on any fact relevant to privileges and immunities. We would expect the Chinese delegation to the Joint Liaison Group to be based at the Chinese Embassy in London, and so their archives kept at the Embassy, and their communications through the Embassy's facilities would be covered by the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the Embassy.
of experts who are not
Annex II provides for
The Bill does not deal with the status
members of the Group, or supporting staff. each side to send up to 20 supporting staff. There is no obligation
on
the
in us
anyone other
agreement
than members
ensure that any British
immunities and we can
>
arrangements. This can
and
the
Chinese
to
provide privileges and
immunities
to
to
of the Group.
We will however wish
staff sent to Peking enjoy appropriate
expect the Chinese to ask for reciprocal however be the subject of discussions with
need
not
require
legislation.
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