HC Deb 28 July 1954 vol 531 cc469-70
20. Mr. Morley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made for compensation to British nationals of the overseas staff of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company Limited formerly employed in Persia.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Negotiations in Teheran are concerned with compensation to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Any compensation to members of the staff is a separate issue for which my right hon. Friend has no responsibility.

Mr. Morley

Can the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend use his influence to see that members of the staff who lost very good jobs when the oil company withdrew from Persia, and who now have very badly paid jobs, get some share of this compensation which is to be given to the company?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I think that the hon. Gentleman should address his inquiries to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is responsible for that aspect of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

Mr. T. Williams

Could not the hon. Gentleman give the House some idea of how many of the employees are really the employees of the Government?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Not without notice.