§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to those embassies in London whose staff 205W have frequently ignored the traffic laws; and what replies he has received.
§ Mr. MulleyBy arrangement with the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassadors and High Commissioners are provided at intervals with lists of the Fixed Penalty Notices issued to members of their staffs for parking in unauthorised places and in respect of which no payment has been made. Heads of Mission are thereby enabled to call to account those members of their staff whose names appear on the lists. We would expect that the Head of Mission would be guided by the principle (enshrined in the Vienna Convention) that the diplomat should respect the laws and regulations of this country, and would instruct his staff accordingly. No reply, to our communication of lists is therefore called for. Nevertheless, Heads of Mission frequently offer their comments and, from the detailed observations they make, it is evident that they look into these matters with great care.
Contraventions of the traffic laws, other than Fixed Penalty Notices, alleged against members of the staffs of diplomatic missions are reported through the usual channels to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and, when appropriate, are brought to the attention of the Head of Mission concerned.