§ 4.3 p.m.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)My Lords, with the leave of the House, I will now repeat a Statement being made in another 1411 place by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary. The Statement is as follows:
"Mr. Speaker, I will with permission make a further statement about the events at the Iranian Embassy. I undertook yesterday to keep the House informed of developments and it may be convenient if I summarise what has happened so far.
"As honourable Members will know, yesterday morning at about 11.30 a.m. three armed men forced their way into the Iranian Embassy at Princes Gate, Knightsbridge. A police constable who was on duty at the embassy was forced inside at gunpoint as a hostage. Two people who work for the BBC were in the embassy at the time and they, too, were taken hostage together with a locally engaged member of staff and some of the Iranians who work there. In all about 20 people are being held. One woman hostage, an Iranian, was released yesterday and one British hostage was released this morning. Despite reports of injuries to the hostages, I understand that no one has been seriously hurt. The terrorists said this morning that the British hostages would not be harmed.
"Since the incident first occurred the building has been surrounded by the police, who have cordoned off the area. They have maintained communication with the terrorists and their aim, as in all such cases is, if at all possible, to bring this incident to a peaceful conclusion without loss of life.
"The terrorists have identified themselves as Iranians. They claim to belong to a dissident organisation calling itself 'The Group of the Martyr'. They have addressed certain demands to the Government of Iran, including the freeing of 91 people currently imprisoned there. They have also asked the Iranian Government to recognise the rights of the Iranian peoples.
"I am naturally keeping in continuous contact with the direction of events by the police. I have had a discussion, a short time ago, with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. I will continue to keep the House informed of developments."
1412 That, my Lords, is the Statement of my right honourable friend the Home Secretary.
§ Lord BOSTON of FAVERSHAMMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord the Minister for repeating the Statement and for continuing to keep the House informed. We fully understand the Government's position in this matter and that they are in touch with the situation on a minute-to-minute basis. May I take this opportunity to commend the patience and courage shown by the police and the other services in the way they deal with situations of this kind. Clearly, we all join in hoping that this incident will end speedily and without bloodshed and further injury. I do not feel that it would be appropriate either to put any questions to the noble Lord, Lord Belstead, or indeed to say anything more.
§ Lord WIGODERMy Lords, it is apparent that any comment made either in Parliament or in the media might well find its way into the Iranian Embassy. That could not conceivably promote the prospects of a peaceful outcome and might well prejudice it. In those circumstances, my noble friends on these Benches feel also that it is best at this stage to say nothing.
§ Lord BELSTEADMy Lords, I am most grateful for the understanding and support of both noble Lords.