§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
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were allegedly committed in 1990 by persons entitled to diplomatic immunity; and how many foreign diplomats were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in that year as a result of alleged offences.
§ Lord ReayThirty-three alleged serious offences by persons entitled to diplomatic 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 Immunities 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 41WA 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Six diplomats were withdrawn from their posts in Britain in 1990 following alleged offences, as against 14 in the previous year.