HL Deb 28 January 1953 vol 180 cc23-4

2.37 p.m.

LORD VANSITTART

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask whether Her Majesty's Government have intimated, or will intimate, to the Italian Government that Anglo-Italian relations are likely to be damaged by the attempts of Italian speculators to make money out of the gross injustice suffered by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

My Lords, the Italian Government, among others, have been informed of the attitude of Her Majesty's Government to transactions in oil from Persia. I can assure the noble Lord that the attention of the Italian Government has again been drawn to our views on this matter in connection with a recent attempt to deal in Persian oil. The Italian Government have throughout fully appreciated the position.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I am very glad to hear the good account of the attitude of the Italian Government given by the noble Marquess. I presume that they are well aware also of the provisions of the Battle Act.

THE MARQUESS OF READING

My Lords, I think that that is a presumption which can be safely made.