HC Deb 22 May 1958 vol 588 cc1473-4
8. Mr. Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many motor accident cases, which occurred in 1957, and during the first four months of 1958, the plea of diplomatic immunity was raised by the defence.

Mr. Renton

I regret that this information is not available. A plea of diplomatic immunity is seldom raised as a defence to criminal proceedings, since if the police are satisfied that an alleged offender is entitled to immunity, proceedings are not instituted.

9. Mr. Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into the regulations governing the plea of diplomatic immunity which can be put forward by motorists in this country.

Mr. Renton

There are no such regulations. The principles of diplomatic immunity, which were described in a reply by my hon. Friend the Joint Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 3rd April last, apply to motoring offences as to any other offences against the law, and my right hon. Friend sees no occasion for an inquiry.

Mr. Hunter

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that one of my constituents was recently killed on the Bath Road, Cranford, by a Dutch Embassy car that was being used only to carry letters to London Airport? Does not he feel that there should be an inquiry into the diplomatic regulations, and that those regulations should not cover services of that type?

Mr. Renton

In the case to which the hon. Member refers, the Netherlands Ambassador was asked to waive immunity but, after consulting his Government, he declined to do so. I would refer the hon. Member to the very full statement that was given by my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in which he will find that policy fully and carefully set out.

Mr. H. Morrison

I gather from the Under-Secretary's answer that there is no record of any specific cases of this diplomatic immunity. Does not he think the Home Office ought to keep a record, because at any time the House may ask, quite reasonably, for information that really ought to be supplied to it, so that hon. Members may know whether this is a problem of some magnitude or not?

Mr. Renton

The right hon. Gentleman, as a former Foreign Secretary, will know that this is primarily a matter for the Foreing Office, and if he will refer to my hon. Friend's previous Answer he will see that the Foreign Office keeps a list.

Mr. Hunter

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I wish to give notice that I intend to raise this subject on the Adjournment.