HC Deb 18 March 1964 vol 691 cc1356-7
8. Mr. Clark Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will instruct procurators fiscal not to waive prosecutions against diplomatic or consular personnel who break or ignore parking or other traffic rules and regulations in Scotland.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Procurators fiscal are instructed by the Lord Advocate and there are standing instructions by which, where diplomatic immunity is claimed and there is any doubt as to the person's entitlement to claim it, the case is referred to the Crown Office for consideration. Diplomatic immunity from prosecution derives from the law, not from the prosecutor's direction.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

Does my hon. Friend realise that there are 6,000 people in the United Kingdom who can claim diplomatic immunity and that in London the policy seems to be to waive charges for traffic offences committed by these people? Does not my hon. Friend agree that this would be a bad policy for Scotland and that diplomatic immunity should be confined only to ambassadors and high commissioners and their immediate staffs and not to general hangers-on and bottle-washers?

Lady Tweedsmuir

Diplomatic immunity is granted on a reciprocal basis and has good reason behind it. Neither my right hon. Friend nor the Lord Advocate has received representations about difficulties in Scotland.