§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide for diplomatic personnel suspected of committing any offences outside the area of jurisdiction of their embassy in the United Kingdom to be subject to the normal processes of United Kingdom law.
§ Mr. MellorAs a party to the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations, the United Kingdom cannot, without international agreement, limit the immunity from criminal jurisdiction which diplomatic agents and certain other staff of missions enjoy. However, as part of the review of the convention which my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary announced earlier this year, the Government are assessing the scope for taking firmer action in respect of breaches of the criminal law by those entitled to diplomatic immunity.