HC Deb 24 June 1942 vol 380 cc1946-7
2. Sir Leonard Lyle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has had any official intimation from the present Government of Persia as to the name by which they wish their country to be known in future?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir.

Sir L. Lyle

Would it not be better if we could make some arrangement regarding what is to be the name of what the Prime Minister calls Persia and the right hon. Gentleman's Department calls Iran?

Sir Herbert Williams

As we call Belgique "Belgium," is there any reason why we should not call any other foreign country by its Anglicised name?

Mr. Eden

It has been our habit to call foreigners any name we like. I think in this particular case there is a rule that in our documents we call it Persia among ourselves, but call it Iran in communications to the Government there, as they desire.

Mr. McGovern

What do you call Hitler?