§ Commander Courtneyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give particulars of the diplomatic representatives of European countries in the United Kingdom who have been declared persona non grata since 1949, stating the date, name, country, diplomatic status, and reason for action in each case.
§ Mr. HeathIt would take a great deal of research to prepare a comprehensive list covering representatives of all European countries. The records immediately available show that 17 diplomatic representatives of the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries have been officially declaredpersona non grata since 1949. The fact that a diplomatic representative of a foreign country in the United Kingdom has been declared persona non grata is not always publicised. In some cases, Her Majesty's Government decided that, once security or other requirements had been met by the expulsion, they were not justified in running the additional risk of prejudice British interests in the country concerned which could result if Her Majesty's Government initiated publicity. On certain occasions, the representatives of the countries concerned were told that Her Majesty's Government would not initiate publicity. This has been the practice throughout the period in question. I regret therefore that I cannot give the full details for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks.