asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many foreign diplomats have been expelled since 1950 for activities against the national interest and breaches of national security; and whether any other expulsions are under consideration.

I regret that complete figures are not available and would require a disproportionate use of resources to obtain. However, since 1970 64 diplomats have been expelled and between 1950 and 1970 a further 24 diplomats from the Soviet Union, Eastern European countries and Cuba were also expelled.The figure of 64 includes the diplomats among the 105 Soviet officials expelled in 1971; the remainder were officials not enjoying diplomatic status.As regards future expulsions, when evidence of inadmissible activities by foreign diplomats is obtained, appropriate action is taken.