HC Deb 11 March 1985 vol 75 c52W
Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances during each of the last five years he has made requests to foreign heads of mission or Governments for diplomatic immunity to be waived when there is evidence of drug-related criminal offences having been committed by diplomatic personnel; whether he is satisfied with the responses to each and every such request; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

Since 1980 we have only once, in 1985, requested a waiver of the immunity of a diplomat alleged to have committed a drug-related offence. The waiver was promptly granted by the Zambian Government, to whom we expressed our satisfaction with their helpful response.

In the same period there were only two other cases of alleged drug offences by persons entitled to immunity, both involving cannabis. In the first case, in 1980, where the alleged offender was the son of a diplomat, we made strong representations. In the second case, in 1981, the diplomat was withdrawn before representations could be made.