STATE AND DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY

HC Deb 11 June 1951 vol 488 c1664

49. Brigadier Rayner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the preliminary report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on State and Diplomatic Immunity has been completed; and if he will publish it.

Mr. Younger

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 4th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, East (Mr. E. Fletcher).

Brigadier Rayner

The Minister's reply is most unsatisfactory. Does he realise that I asked a Question about this matter nearly 18 months ago, and that, meantime, the country is very full of dubious foreigners? Will he say when this Committee will come to a conclusion, and publish it?

Mr. Younger

The hon. and gallant Member must be aware that when an expert committee is appointed and is under the direction of able and conscientious people, all we can do is to ask that their report should be made available as quickly as possible. The Government cannot insist that a very complicated report should be published before the experts think they have all the answers ready.