This Order, pursuant to section 12 of the Consular Relations Act 1968, affords partial relief from general rates to the offices and residences of the Gibraltar Government Representative in London and the British Virgin Islands Government Representative in London. Similar relief is already granted to the offices and residences of the Falkland Islands Government Representative in London and the Cayman Islands Government Representative in London. These offices perform functions broadly in line with those of a consular post of a foreign country.

The Order also deletes references to Hong Kong, which is no longer part of the Commonwealth. Privileges and immunities have been afforded to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office under the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996.