HC Deb 09 June 1982 vol 25 cc190-1
2. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Her Majesty's Government and the Islamic Government of Iran.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Douglas Hurd)

Her Majesty's Government maintain diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and have no desire to intervene in their internal affairs. The release of two detained British citizens earlier this year removed an important obstacle to better relations. We have made it clear to the Iranian Government for some time now that we are ready for an improved relationship which must be based on mutual respect and advantage.

Mr. Temple-Morris

Does my right hon. Friend agree that in so far as Iranian intentions may be expansionist they provide a real threat to Western and, indeed, British security? Does he further agree that the wrong way is to throw money at the problem? Therefore, is not the Saudi and Gulf offer to the Iranians, as reported last week, of no less a sum than $25 billion utterly wrong?

Mr. Hurd

We have certainly been worried by some aspects of Iranian activity, perhaps not all of it official, in the Gulf. I agree with what my hon. Friend said about that.

When the war is over, and possibly as a way of bringing it to an end, there is a case for those who have the resources considering whether to devote some of them to reconstruction in both the countries affected.

Mr. McNally

Is the Minister contemplating a visit to or consultations with the Gulf States, where there is great uncertainty about future Iranian intentions?

Mr. Hurd

I am in close touch. I had good talks yesterday with the Secretary-General of the Gulf Co-operation Council. We are in close touch and our views are known.

Mr. Moyle

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable concern among Iranian students in Britain at the implication of Iranian diplomats in the harassment of students who are thought to be the enemies or opponents of the existing regime in Iran? Will the Minister make it clear that we do not expect diplomats accredited to Britain to behave in that way?

Mr. Hurd

I have had some reports, but they are difficult to confirm. Anyone who believes that any Iranian or other foreign diplomat is breaking British law must let the police or us know. The difficulty is that often such allegations are not substantiated by evidence that could help the police.

Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

I appreciate that my right hon. Friend will not wish to interfere in the internal affairs of another county, but will he confirm that at least 4,000-plus official executions have taken place under the present regime and that there are at least 40,000 political prisoners in that country? What new action will the Government be taking to draw that incredible and deplorable fact to the attention of the appropriate international bodies?

Mr. Hurd

I cannot confirm the figures, because they are hard to get at. They certainly represent a real increase in human misery. We have taken every opportunity in the United Nations and the United Nations Commission of Human Rights to draw attention to what is happening and to urge the Iranian Government to respect the human rights of their citizens. The Secretary-General has been asked to prepare a report on the subject.