HC Deb 10 September 1941 vol 374 cc159-60
3. Sir John Mellor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the German Legation in Iran has been closed?

Mr. Eden

The terms put forward by His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government, and now accepted by the Iranian Government, provide that the German Minister and his staff must leave Teheran at once and that the German Legation must be closed. This also applies to the Italian, Hungarian and Rumanian Legations. The Iranian Government state that the four Legations have been informed of this decision and requested to comply forthwith. Orders have also been given by the Iranian Government to stop the facilities of the Axis Legations for communicating in cypher or by wireless. I take this opportunity to add that steps are being taken by the Iranian Government to hand over the German community in Iran to the British and Soviet Governments.

Sir J. Mellor

Are those legations being closed under British supervision, and will the Vichy Government be permitted to have diplomatic representation in Persia?

Mr. Eden

I must have notice of the second part of that question.

Sir J. Mellor

May I have an answer to the first part?

Mr. Eden

Soviet representatives and British representatives are in Teheran, of course, and they are in consultation with the Iranian Government about the method.

Mr. Shinwell

In the event of any reluctance by the Iranian' Government to remove those gentry, are we going to take steps to kick them out ourselves?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member may be certain that we have had in mind the necessity of taking action ourselves were it not taken otherwise. Personally I welcome this method, but we have insisted to the Iranian Government that they must be expeditious.

Sir William Davison

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very large number of Germans in the Embassy at Teheran, and are they being handed over to the British or Russians for internment?

Mr. Eden

That is- exactly what I have said. I said: I take this opportunity to add that steps are being taken by the Iranian Government to hand over the German community in Iran to the British and Soviet Governments.

Sir W. Davison

Including those who have taken refuge in the Embassy?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Mander

Is the Japanese Legation to be allowed to continue to operate?