HC Deb 17 March 1952 vol 497 cc1928-9
56. Sir D. Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the talks which have taken place in London between representatives of the International Bank and the Foreign Office, with a view to the settlement of the oil question in Persia.

Mr. Eden

With regard to the conversations in London with representatives of the International Bank, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on the 5th March, in reply to the hon. Member or Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner).

A communiqué has now been issued in Teheran stating that the Bank's negotiator is returning to Washington. The House will understand that I would wish to have an opportunity to study the report of the International Bank's Mission before considering whether a further statement should be made.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Could the Foreign Secretary confirm the report that during recent negotiations the Persian Government have really made no serious proposals at all?

Mr. Eden

There does not seem to me to have been any great advance—I agree with the right hon. Gentleman. I should like to see the International Bank's report. I think the process may have been educative in more than one quarter.