§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what restrictions are placed by the United Kingdom on (a) the movements and (b) the normal privileges of foreign diplomats entitled to diplomatic immunity in Britain; and if he will give the foreign state concerned in each case.
§ Mr. RifkindDiplomats of the Soviet Union—except the head of mission—Vietnam, Mongolia and China are required to obtain permission and to give at least two working days' notice before travelling more than 35 miles—25 miles for Soviet diplomats—from Hyde park corner.
Limits are imposed, on a non-discriminatory basis, on the number of cars and the quantity of spirits and cigarettes which a diplomat may acquire duty-free.
§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the figures given to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 20 June concerning offences alleged to have been committed by foreign diplomats in the United Kingdom over the last 10 years so as to show to which foreign state or group of state each belongs.
§ Mr. RifkindNo. It would be inappropriate to list the nationality of the alleged offenders since their guilt has not been established in court. Nor do I consider that it would be appropriate to indicate the regional group to which the alleged offenders belong.
§ Mr. Stanbrookasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made so far in formulating proposals for the reform of the law covering diplomatic immunity.
§ Mr. RifkindMy right hon. and learned Friend intends to make a statement to the House on this subject in due course.