HC Deb 09 May 1984 vol 59 c393W
Mr.Normanton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British diplomats recently entering or leaving Nigeria have had their luggage searched; and if he will make a statement.

Mr.Whitney

Rather than wait until the currency changeover in Nigeria was complete, one member of the diplomatic staff of our High Commission in Lagos agreed to a search of his baggage. We have made it clear to the Nigerian Government that we look to them to respect the provisions of the Vienna convention whereby the personal baggage of a diplomat shall be exempt from inspection unless there are serious grounds for presuming that it contains prohibited articles.