Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the case of a Mr. Saunders, who was involved in a motor accident with the 394W Spanish Ambassador's car; and whether, in view of the fact that the insurance company concerned sheltered itself under the Diplomatic Privileges Act and refused to be sued for damages, he will amend that Act or arrange some means by which British subjects, finding themselves in a similar situation, can be compensated or at least be allowed to state a case in the Courts?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINThis case was brought to the notice of the Foreign Office by Mr. Saunders, whom I informed, after making inquiries into the circumstances of the accident, that I could find no grounds for intervention on his behalf. I have no official knowledge of the attitude adopted by the insurance company, but I have no reason to suppose that they did not deal with this case on the usual footing. Indeed, if insurance companies did otherwise, there would clearly be no object in persons enjoying diplomatic privilege effecting insurance against third party risks. No amendment of the law giving the Court jurisdiction in such cases would be consistent with international law.