HC Deb 28 January 1976 vol 904 cc234-6W
Mr. Goodhart

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British diplomats serving overseas in 1973, 1974 and 1975 claimed diplomatic immunity to avoid paying fines for traffic offences; and what was the total number of claims for immunity made at each mission overseas in 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. Ennals

Statistics of cases where, but for diplomatic immunity, members of British diplomatic missions abroad might have been fined if found guilty of traffic offences are not available in London and the cost of obtaining such figures from all our posts abroad would not be justifiable.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce legislation to compel all accredited diplomatic representatives who wish to drive motor vehicles in the United Kingdom to deposit £250 with his Department, the money to be invested and used to discharge fixed penalty parking tickets and/or other motoring penalties imposed upon the diplomat, any balance being returnable to the depositor, together with interest earned, upon his relinquishing his appointment.

Mr. Ennals

Any such system of deposits would conflict with the obligation accepted by Her Majesty's Government under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to accord diplomatic agents immunity from criminal jurisdiction and exemption from all dues and taxes.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek discussions with other Governments to reach an agreement that diplomatic representatives of one nation and/or international organisations in another country should not be entitled to claim immunity from prosecution by the national authorities in respect of parking and other regulatory motoring offences.

Mr. Ennals

Her Majesty's Government accord diplomatic agents immunity from prosecution by virtue of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. While we should be willing to take part in international discussions to consider whether any parts of the Vienna Convention need revision, the time it not ripe for Her Majesty's Government to take an initiative in seeking such discussions. Representatives to international organisations do not necessarily enjoy the same immunity from criminal prosecution in respect of traffic offences as is accorded to diplomatic agents. This is a matter for negotiation between the member States of each organisation when the organisation is being set up.