§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether the claim for diplomatic immunity for Press agencies is put forward by all Powers or only by the Soviet Government.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)My Lords, the Soviet claim for immunity from suit for Tass Agency, to which I presume the noble Lord refers, was based on a statement by the Soviet Ambassador that it "constitutes a department of the Soviet State" and is "the central information organ of the U.S.S.R." The immunity from suit of foreign States, their Governments and Government departments rests upon an established principle of international law. No previous case has ever occurred in this country in which a Press agency has been claimed to be a department of a foreign State, and the whole position is now receiving consideration.
§ LORD VANSITTARTI thank the noble and learned Viscount for his answer; I appreciate that in present circumstances he could say no more. I understand from his reply, however, that this claim is quite an unprecedented one.