1.  This Order may be cited as the Consular Relations (Privileges and Immunities) (Republic of Austria) Order 1970 and shall come into operation on 1st January 1971.

2.  The Interpretation Act 1889 shall apply for the interpretation of this Order as it applies for the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

3.  The like exemption from dues and taxes as is accorded under Article 32 in Schedule 1 to the Act to the residence of the career head of a consular post shall be extended to the residence of a career consular officer or a consular employee of the Republic of Austria of which the Republic of Austria or any person acting on its behalf is the owner or lessee.

4.  A consular bag exchanged between a consular officer of the Republic of Austria in the United Kingdom and the Government, a diplomatic mission or another consular post of the Republic of Austria shall be accorded the treatment which is accorded to a diplomatic bag by Article 27 in Schedule 1 to the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order, which is made pursuant to the Consular Relations Act 1968, provides, with respect to consular posts of the Republic of Austria and persons connected with them, for according privileges additional to those accorded by Schedule 1 to the Act, namely—

(i)relief from rates and taxes for the residences of career consular officers and consular employees;

(ii)the same treatment in respect of consular bags as is accorded to a diplomatic bag.

It gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Consular Convention between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Austria which was signed at Vienna on 24th June 1960 (Cmnd. 2278).