HC Deb 23 February 1954 vol 524 cc16-7W
55. Lieut-Colonel Hyde

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the charge against Ricardo Ernest Soto, a member of the Panama Consular Service, of the attempted smuggling into Northern Ireland of 1,670 watches of the approximate value of £21,000, was recently withdrawn; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The charge was withdrawn because the name of Mr. Ricardo Ernesto Soto was included in the list of persons officially regarded as entitled to diplomatic immunity in the United Kingdom. All that I can add to the Foreign Secretary's reply of yesterday is that now his immunity has been withdrawn every possible step is being taken to bring Mr. Soto to justice.