HL Deb 11 March 1964 vol 256 cc417-8

2.44 p.m.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider introducing a distinctive set of registration number plates for use on Corps Diplomatique cars; as is the practice in many other countries.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, my right honourable friend does not think there is sufficient reason for making this change, which would give rise to considerable practical complications.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, I should like to ask him two questions. First, would not the use of such registration plates prevent misunderstandings, which are many at the moment, and be a means of stopping the abuse of the Corps Diplomatique privileges? Secondly, could my noble friend tell me what the practical difficulties are? If he cannot do so now, perhaps he will write to me.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, with regard to my noble friend's first question, as I understand it he would like a car to be readily discernible as belonging to a member of the Corps Diplomatique. Of course, it is readily discernible by the licence disc affixed on the windscreen, which has the word "Diplomatique" or "Consular" written on it. Therefore, there is no question of anyone being unable to discern that a car belongs to a member of the Corps Diplomatique. With regard to the difficulties, they are quite substantial. I would merely note one, as a start: that in this country a car is registered once only, but it is licensed annually. If we were to have registration plates with "C.D." or some specific number on them, and designated the fact that they belonged to the Corps Diplomatique, it would mean either changing the number plates every year or changing the registration number.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his further reply, may I ask him whether he really thinks that the "C.D." cars are readily discernible, in so far as the car has to be stopped to recognise whether or not it is a Corps Diplomatique car; whereas, if the actual registration plates have some lettering or sign to show, the car could be in motion and still be distinguishable? So far as the second answer which my noble friend gave me is concerned, it is true that a car has to be re-registered every year, but provided that the owner remains the same I do not see what the difficulty is.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, one of the difficulties with giving a special number plate is that when a diplomat sold the car it would have to be re-registered. With regard to the first of the supplementaries, there are few occasions when the diplomatic privilege would be required where a car is in motion. The occasion when a diplomatic privilege is required is when the car is stationary, or when the police may stop it; and the fact that it is a "C.D." car is then readily discernible.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, where re-registration is concerned, I should have thought that what we lose on the swings we gain on the roundabouts.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether it is an offence to carry any number plate or plated lettering with the letters "C.D." on it if you are not a member of the Corps Diplomatique?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the letters "C.D." have no legal status whatever, and anyone is entitled to put them on.