HL Deb 02 February 1955 vol 190 cc902-3
LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government—

  1. (1) whether the Polish, Russian and other Communist Governments deny diplomatic immunity from civil and criminal jurisdiction to subordinate staffs of foreign embassies;
  2. (2) whether the British Government gives such immunity;
  3. (3) whether the British Government will strictly apply the principle of reciprocity.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

My Lords, the Soviet Government and the Governments of other States within the Soviet orbit do not regard the personal immunity of the head of a foreign diplomatic Mission as extending to the subordinate (that is to say, the non-diplomatic) members of his Mission. The practice of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is to acknowledge the immunity as extending to all persons, other than local nationals, employed under the direction and superintendence of the Head of Mission in his diplomatic capacity. Her Majesty's Government are examining the question of taking statutory powers to apply the principle of reciprocity in these matters, in conformity with the recommendation of the Somervell Committee's Report on Diplomatic Immunity.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I thank the noble Marquess for his reply. Perhaps, in view of his reply on the third point of my Question, he will allow me to revert to the matter at a later date.