9. Mr. H. Wilsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority an officer of the Department of Customs and Excise has called upon the recently discharged Guatemalan Consul-General in Liverpool at his private house, and demanded, with threats of damage to property and in defiance of diplomatic immunity, the surrender to him of his car; and whether he will instruct officers of his Department not to be drawn into legal disputes between present and past incumbents of Guatemalan diplomatic posts.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThere is no question in this case of any breach of diplomatic immunity, or of the Customs having taken any action which was not fully covered by the law. I am writing to the right hon. Member in regard to other aspects of the matter.
Mr. WilsonWhatever may be the position in Guatemala, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this country is not a police State? Will he look into the matter again, recognising that there is a legal dispute as to the ownership of the car in question and, until that is resolved, it is highly improper for the Customs to intervene in this matter? Is he aware that if there is any liability for the payment of Customs Duty—which has still to be established—the ex-diplomat in question has declared his willingness to pay that duty?
§ Mr. BrookeI think it might be best if I sent the right hon. Member the letter I have promised him. If that is not satisfactory, no doubt he will raise the matter again in this House.
Mr. WilsonSince there are a very large number of documents in this case, which I have seen and which probably have not been available to the hon. Gentleman, will he agree to hold his hand so far as seizure is concerned until he has seen the documents?
§ Mr. BrookeIf the right hon. Member will send me the documents, I shall be glad to study them at once.