HC Deb 09 July 1964 vol 698 c593
6. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will instruct the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis that all known cases of deliberate violation of traffic or parking regulations by the drivers of cars with diplomatic immunity are to be reported to him.

Mr. Woodhouse

My right hon. Friend already receives from the Commissioner of Police details of most cases in which persons entitled to diplomatic immunity are alleged to have offended against the traffic or parking regulations, and where, had it not been for the entitlement to immunity, a fixed penalty might have been enforced or the police might have preferred charges. My right hon. Friend is arranging for all such cases to be reported in future.

Mr. Johnson

Are the police and traffic wardens advised, or instructed, to take particulars of all drivers committing offences and of cars parked in contravention of the regulations, even if they have a diplomatic immunity sticker on the car?

Mr. Woodhouse

Yes, Sir, I can confirm that.

Mr. Fletcher

What does the hon. Gentleman do when he gets this information? Does he bring it to the notice of those concerned?

Mr. Woodhouse

It depends on the gravity of the case, but in a number of cases representations are made to the head of the mission concerned, and in the most serious cases it is sometimes thought right to request a waiver of the offender's immunity to enable a prosecution to proceed.