HC Deb 18 May 1965 vol 712 cc1187-8
16. Mr. Brian Harrison

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will seek power to arrange for members of Commonwealth High Commissions to have distinctively-coloured CD nameplates on their cars.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

No, Sir. CD plates have no official sanction in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Harrison

Is not the Minister of State aware that in some other Commonwealth countries there is a special plate for representatives of Commonwealth High Commissions? It would be a desirable thing to draw attention to it here.

Mr. Hughes

It is quite true that some countries, both Commonwealth and foreign, issue separate plates incorporating the prefix "CD" with special list numbers, but many countries do not and there has been no strong pressure for the practice in Britain to be changed.

Mr. Sandys

Is it not time we spoke English and referred to it as "DC"— "Diplomatic Corps "—instead of "Corps Diplomatique"?

Mr. Hughes

There is a good deal in what the right hon. Gentleman says. This must be a matter for diplomatic missions themselves.