HC Deb 12 December 1969 vol 793 c193W
Dr. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which foreign missions are attached the immune diplomats against whom criminal proceedings were dropped for the six alleged offences of theft and two of assault.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

In the case of the first group of alleged offences, the diplomatic missions in question were those of the Argentine, Australia Belgium, the Federal German Republic, Greece and Venezuela; in the second, India and the Ivory Coast.

Dr. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that in the 10 months from 1st November, 1968, the average number of fixed penalty offences repudiated per head of immune staff was 50.2 per head for Niger, 49 for Hungary, 47.8 for Congo, 43 for Saudi Arabia and 41 for the Ivory coast, 0.01 for New Zealand, 0.06 for South Africa, 0.86 for Australia, and 0.1 per cent. for Brazil; and if he will draw the attention of the worst offenders to the extent of their offences.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

I am aware that the degree of observance of our parking laws varies markedly as between the members of one mission and another. All alleged breaches of these laws are brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and it is for him to decide what representations should be made in this connection.