§ Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles belonging to Commonwealth High Commissions and Foreign Missions in London have been authorised to carry corps diplomatique plates; what privileges such plates convey, especially in connection with street parking; and in how many instances since 1959, or other convenient year, such vehicles have been involved in accidents and other incidents as a result of which, had it not been for such privileges, their drivers whould have been prosecuted or fined.
§ Mr. WoodhouseCorps diplomatique plates have no official sanction in this country and convey no privileges in respect of a vehicle to which they are attached. I understand from the Commissioner of Police that unless the Metropolitan police know that the person in charge of such a vehicle is entitled to 121W diplomatic privilege the vehicle is reported or otherwise dealt with for traffic offences in the same way as any other vehicle.
Details are not available of the number of vehicles bearing C.D. plates involved in accidents and other incidents. I am obtaining figures of cases brought to notice by the police in which a person claiming diplomatic immunity is alleged to have committed a traffic offence, and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.