HC Deb 22 May 1984 vol 60 cc414-5W
Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the approximate number of persons currently based in the United Kingdom and entitled to claim diplomatic immunity but whose names and job descriptions have not been notified to his Department by the mission to which they are accredited.

Mr. Whitney

None. No-one not properly notified to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there is a requirement for diplomatic missions based in the United Kingdom to advise his Department of the names and functions of members of the administrative and technical staff of a mission; and whether it is the normal practice for such persons to have diplomatic immunity.

Mr. Whitney

The requirement to notify the appointment of members of a mission is contained in Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Under Article 37 of the Convention, members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State; but the immunity which they enjoy from the civil and administrative jurisdiction of the receiving State does not extend to acts performed outside the course of their duties.