1 Extension of circumstances in which complaints about consular actions can be made under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967.

Section 6(4) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (which restricts the circumstances in which complaints can be entertained under that Act by reference to the residence of the person aggrieved in the United Kingdom or the connection with the United Kingdom of the action complained of) shall be amended by the insertion at the beginning of the words “Except as provided in subsection (5) below” and the addition at the end of the following subsection—

“ (5) A complaint may be entered under this Act in circumstances not falling within subsection (4) above where—

(a) the complaint relates to action taken in any country or territory outside the United Kingdom by an officer (not being an honorary consular officer) in the exercise of a consular function on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom ; and

(b) the person aggrieved is a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies who, under section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971, has the right of abode in the United Kingdom ” .

2 Short title and extent.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Parliamentary Commissioner (Consular Complaints) Act 1981.

(2) This Act extends to Northern Ireland.