Written question asked by Denis MacShane (Independent (affiliation)) on Thursday, 4 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 November 2010. It was answered by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 November 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Official Visits: Diplomatic Immunity

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Ministers of foreign governments have immunity from arrest during visits to the UK.

Original answer: Whether a visiting Minister of a foreign government is entitled to immunity from arrest in the UK will depend on the status of the person concerned, whether they are travelling on official government business, as well as on other considerations. By virtue of their office, immunities will attach to visiting Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers of Foreign Affairs, as well as, by extension, other Ministers who travel by virtue of their office. The extent to which such immunities may attach to other visiting senior officials will fall to be determined case-by-case depending on their status and the reasons for their visit to the UK.

It has since been corrected.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 22801; 518 c435W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Parliamentary Written Question (Correction)
Monday, 13 December 2010
Written statements
House of Commons
Notes: Answer corrected on 13 December 2010 at 520 c72WS.
Subjects: Foreign nationals Immunity from prosecution
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk