§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many specific occasions he has ordered the scanning of diplomatic bags; on what dates such an order was given and such scanning carried out; and on the bags of which mission and with what results.
§ Mr. EggarIt has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on sensitive matters such as this which directly concern national security.
§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will hold an inquiry into the effects of the Government's stated readiness to scan any diplomatic bag on a specific occasion where the grounds for suspicion are sufficiently strong and into whether the knowledge that he is prepared to do so has acted as a deterrrent to abuse; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarWe keep application of the policy set out in the White Paper on Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges (Cmnd. 9497) under frequent review.