HC Deb 04 April 1951 vol 486 cc177-8
7. Mr. Thomas Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the boundaries of the 100,000 acre concession to the Anglo-Iranian Company have now been demarcated on the ground.

Mr. H. Morrison

No, Sir. Under its 1933 Concession Agreement with the Persian Government, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company was granted the right to select, within a given region of South-Western Persia, an area or areas not exceeding 100,000 English square miles (not acres, as stated in the Question). These areas were duly selected and, as required by the terms of the Concession Agreement, were identified by maps and by the data necessary to define them. The Concession Agreement does not require these areas to be denned in any other way.

20. Mr. M. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the action of the Persian Parliament in regard to the Anglo-Iranian oil concessions and similar movements which are starting in Iraq, and in view of the Persian claim to Bahrein in the Persian Gulf, he will consult with the United States of America in order that both countries may have a common policy over oil concessions in the Middle East.

Mr. H. Morrison

We are in consultation with the United States Government and will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.