Explanatory note

This Order, which is made pursuant to the Consular Relations Act 1968, provides, with respect to consular posts of the Kingdom of Belgium 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)exemption for certain consular employees from customs duties on articles for their personal use, or that of members of their families forming part of their households, imported throughout the period of their appointment.

It gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Consular Convention between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Belgium which was signed at Brussels on 8th March 1961 (Cmnd. 2559).