Diplomatic Service (Postings)

HC Deb 20 March 1972 vol 833 cc233-4W

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will make a statement on the reasons why Mr. Henry Latham, a First Secretary at the British Embassy in Berne, Switzerland, has been relocated; and whether this was done at the request of the Swiss Government;

(2) whether he will make a statement on the official complaint made to his Department by the Swiss Government about the spying activities of British Government officials in trying to ascertain detailed information regarding the numbered financial accounts in Switzerland of British citizens.

Mr. Anthony Royle

Discussions have taken place with the Swiss Government. It is not customary to make public the reasons for the postings of individuals within the diplomatic service.