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May 24, 1949

Note: The Agreement entered into force, May 24, 1949.

Reference: The Agreement is also published in II DFA TS No. 3, p. 23.

No. T 5913/1838/373

FOREIGN OFFICE, S.W.1.
21st May, 1949

S i r :

I have the honour to inform you that, on the understanding that the Philippine Government will fulfill the requirement of reciprocity, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are prepared to arrange for the duty-free stamping of leases and instruments of transfer of the ownership of property in the following classes of cases—

(a) Where property is acquired or leased by the Philippine Government for diplomatic or consular purposes, including property to be used as Embassy or Legation premises or as a Consulate or as the London residence of the accredited diplomatic representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the Court of St. James's or other diplomatic personnel, forming part of his mission, or as the residence of a Philippine Consular Officer.

(b) Where property is acquired or leased by a member of the diplomatic staff of the Philippine Legation in London for his own occupation for diplomatic purposes. It is understood that a diplomat's London residence, or his residence near London if he has no London residence, is regarded as occupied for diplomatic purposes. If he has another residence in addition, e. g. a country cottage, this other residence is not regarded as occupied for diplomatic purposes, and no relief from Stamp Duty will be allowed.

I have the honor to suggest that this Note and your reply thereto in similar terms should be regarded as placing on formal record the understanding reached between our two Governments on this matter.

I have the honour to be, with right consideration, Sir,

Dr. Jose Imperial
38 Han Place
S.W.1

May 24, 1949

Sir:

I have the honor to refer to your Excellency's Note No. T 5913/1838/373 of 21st May, 1949 in which you were good enough to inform me that, on the understanding that the Philippine Government will fulfill the requirement of reciprocity, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are prepared to arrange for the duty-free stamping of leases and instruments of transfer of the ownership of property in the following classes of cases—

(a) Where the property is acquired or leased by the Philippine Government for diplomatic or consular purposes, including property to be used as Embassy or Legation premises or as a Consulate or as the London residence of the accredited diplomatic representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the Court of St. James's or other diplomatic personnel, forming part of his mission, or as a residence of a Philippine Consular Officer.

(b) Where property is acquired or leased by a member of the diplomatic staff of the Philippine Legation in London for his own occupation for diplomatic purposes. It is understood that a diplomat's London residence, or his residence near London if he has no London residence, is regarded as occupied for diplomatic purposes. If he has another residence in addition, e.g., a country cottage, this other residence is not regarded as occupied for diplomatic purposes, and no relief from Stamp Duty will be allowed.

I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Government of the Republic of the Philippines accepts, on the basis of reciprocity, the above arrangements and will regard your Excellency's Note and the present reply as constituting an agreement between our two Governments on this matter.

Please accept, Sir, the renewed assurance of my highest consideration.

The Right Honorable ERNEST BEVIN, M.P.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Office
London, S.W.I.