International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) Miscellaneous Provisions Order 2006

My Lords, I am grateful for the support of the Benches opposite. I am sure that the Government also look forward to the end of the bringing forward of orders to ensure that this legislation is properly implemented. At the moment, I cannot give the cast-iron guarantee requested by the noble Baroness, but I know that there are no more orders in the pipeline in relation to privileges and immunities. I shall seek to clarify the position and write to her. As to UK citizens living outside the UK who belong to other organisations, the UK naturally welcomes compliance by other European Union member states. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for each member state to decide, depending on the policy choices available to it. We urge other member states to travel in a similar direction, but it is entirely up to them. The UK recognises overseas relationships that are akin to UK civil partnerships and we would welcome similar treatment from other countries. The noble Lord, Lord Wallace, asked whether the order should apply to people working in European Union institutions. I can say that there is no need to extend this measure to diplomats in bilateral embassies in the UK as their civil partners are already covered because they are members of a family. I do not, I am afraid, have the answer on whether people working for European institutions are or will be covered by the order. However, I shall write to the noble Lord, with a copy to the noble Baroness, and place a copy in the Library. I am very grateful for the support of the Benches opposite. On Question, Motion agreed to.