BRITISH INTERESTS IN PERSIA (Hansard, 14 March 1951)

§ LORD VANSITTART
My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD HENDER-SON)
My Lords, it is both the right and the duty of His Majesty's Government to take all possible measures to protect the legitimate interests of British commercial undertakings overseas. I presume that the noble Lord has particularly in mind the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and I feel that I should explain the present position in regard to the affairs of this Company in Persia. No representation has been received from the Persian Government in regard to the Company. I understand, however, that the Oil Commission of the Persian Parliament have unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that a proposal that the oil industry throughout the country should be nationalised has received their "attention and acceptance," but that since the time is too short "for study of the application of this principle," it should be granted an extension of time of two months. This resolution of the Commission is now before the Persian Parliament.
On the Company's side, I understand that for their part they are willing to discuss an agreement on what can per-haps best be described as the basis of an equal sharing of profits in Persia, and had so informed the Persian Government before the recent unfortunate developments in Tehran. The Company's present Agreement with the Persian Government is valid until 1993, and His Majesty's Government are advised that under the terms of that Agreement the Company's operations cannot legally be terminated by a unilateral action of the Persian Government. His Majesty's Government cannot be indifferent to the affairs of this major British interest. His Majesty's Ambassador at Teheran has accordingly been instructed to present forthwith to the Persian Government a Note on the subject.

§ LORD VANSITTART
My Lords, I welcome the assurance which the noble Lord has given, and I hope that due heed will be taken of it in Persia. I am particularly glad to hear that His Majesty's Government will not countenance the pernicious tendency towards unilateral denunciations. I should like to ask the noble Lord whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to-wards the utterances of a fanatic, Seyid Kashani, who has not only expressly approved the assassination of the late Prime Minister but threatens to use in this matter a force which he does not possess.

§ LORD HENDERSON
My Lords, the answer is, Yes. His Majesty's Government, however, do not feel inclined to attach importance to a person who, according to their information, is known to be irresponsible, who was convicted of helping the German agents in the last war and who was arrested and later expelled from Persia for alleged connection with the attempted assassination of his Sovereign.

§ LORD VANSITTART
My Lords, I am very glad to hear that answer, too. The record of Seyid Kashani appears to be a pretty dirty one, and I am glad that it has been brought to public notice.