§ 7. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will protest to the Libyan Government concerning their treatment of British diplomats and their families.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Balniel)We have made repeated protests and representations to the Libyan Government about the difficulties created for British diplomatists and their families and other British subjects by the Libyan requirement for Arabic in passports.
§ Mr. JannerIs not it right that it is not only the requirement of Arabic in passports but also restrictions, for example, on the freedom of British diplomats to drink beer in the embassy, that are worrying people? It is the whole treatment here from beginning to end which is completely intolerable. Is it not time that something serious was done to bring an end to this situation?
§ Lord BalnielWe hope that a general improvement can be achieved during negotiations, but on the particular question of the ban on diplomats' use of alcohol I do not think representations would be effective as the Libyan Government's objection to the use of alcohol is based on religious grounds.
§ Mr. John E. B. HillAre other countries affected? If the Libyan authorities are in breach of international diplomatic agreements, would it not be possible to concert our action with that of other countries in order to persuade the Libyan authorities to adopt a more mature and civilised attitude?
§ Lord BalnielThe Libyan requirement has affected diplomatists and others of all countries which do not have Arabic in their passports. We are attempting to concert action to try to achieve a solution through negotiation.