To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the institutions and bodies of the European Union which enjoy diplomatic immunities and privileges in the United Kingdom; what those diplomatic immunities and privileges are; and how many people enjoy them. [HL4653]

There are 11 organisations of the European Union with facilities in the UK that are entitled to certain privileges and immunities. They are:

European Commission;

European Investment Bank;

European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training;

European Maritime Safety Agency;

European Medicines Agency;

European Molecular Biology Laboratory;

European Network and Information Security Agency;

European Parliament;

European Patent Office;

European Police School; and

European School.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been notified of 2,282 staff and their dependants at the above listed organisations that may be entitled to some form of privileges and immunities. The extent of the privileges and immunities accorded varies between the different organisations, such as immunity from jurisdiction and legal process and exemption or relief from certain taxes.

In addition, other EU institutions and bodies which are not based in the UK are also entitled to certain privileges and immunities under the terms of the European Communities Act 1972.