§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many serious offences were allegedly committed in 1990 by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity; and how many foreign diplomats were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in that year as a result of alleged offences.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThirty-three alleged serious offences by persons entitled to dipomatic immunity were drawn to the attention of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1990—seven fewer than in 1989. "Serious offences" are defined in accordance with the report to the Foreign Affairs Committee "The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunities192W and Privileges (1985)" as offences falling into a category which would in certain circumstances attract a maximum penalty of six months or more imprisonment; we are advised that none of the alleged offences would have been likely to attract a custodial sentence. The majority involved drinking and driving and shoplifting.
Six diplomats were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in 1990 following alleged offences, as against 14 in the previous year.