CO129-595-8 United Nations Relief Rehabilitations Administration Supplies 10-5-1946 - 1-1-1947 — Page 17

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X

by Mr. Beckett, we should not quote this letter, though

it is useful for record.

We have agreed that Mr. MacPetrie's minute may

need some modification, but we shall have to clear

up the position with the Foreign Office,

As regards A in para. 3 of that minute, it is

not suggested that the organisation can import goods on behalf of its own officers. It will be seen that

Part I

para. 4 of the Diet Schedule to the Diplomatic

Privileges (Extension) Act 1944, exempts from import

tax goods imported by the organisation "for its

official use.

We feel that this should extend to

such things as food stuffs for use in the canteen and,

possibly, other supplies sold exclusively to members

of the staff in an officially run institute. It is

important, however, to know whether this accords with

the practice in this country.

As regards B and C in the above minute, it

appears probable that the effect of the Order in

Council of 1945, read with para. 3 of Part 11 of

the Schedule to the Act of 1944, is to extend to

specified high officers and Government representatives

a right to customs exemption on the ground that al-

exemption

though such omission cannot be claimed as of right unde

exemption in International Law, it is an emission which is

"accorded to an envoy of a foreign sovereign power

accredited to His Majesty" (see the wording of Part

11 of the Schedule to the Act).

thuen

I think we should put this points to the Foreign

Office who may have to refer to the Board of Customs

and Excise to know what their practice is.

I agree that a Colonial Government should be

asked to introduce legislation to secure the same

privilege as are accorded to U.N.R.R.A. in this

country.

Dogw

19th November, 1946.