HL Deb 02 May 1995 vol 563 c110WA
Lord Brougham and Vaux

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many serious offences were allegedly committed in 1994 by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity; and how many foreign diplomats or members of their families were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in the past year as a result of alleged offences.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Twenty-five alleged serious offences by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1994. "Serious offences" are defined in accordance with the report to the Foreign Affairs CommitteeThe Abuse of Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges (1985) as offences which fall into the category which in certain circumstances attract a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or more: the majority involved drinking and driving and shoplifting.

Six diplomats or members of their families were withdrawn from post in Britain as a result of alleged offences, compared with one the previous year.