HL Deb 03 March 1987 vol 485 cc515-6

2.42 p.m.

Lord Molloy

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what responses they have received to their endeavours to bring about a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq war.

Baroness Young

My Lords, we regret that the initiatives that we have supported in the United Nations, European Community and other fora have not brought about a ceasefire or a negotiated settlement.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for that reply. Is she aware that many people approve of the endeavours undertaken by the British Government in general at the United Nations and indeed by the British Foreign Secretary? Is she further aware that this is an horrendous war which on the Iranian side involves child soldiers? Will she give an assurance that the British Government will not give up their endeavours to bring both sides together and to try to bring about a ceasefire?

Baroness Young

Yes, my Lords, we wish to see an end to this wasteful and destabilising conflict. Discussions continue between the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council aimed at achieving a negotiated end to the conflict.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, may we have an assurance that, whatever the British Government do or do not do in trying to end this war, it is such a crazy war we will keep out of it?

Baroness Young

My Lords, it is certainly not the wish of the British Government to be drawn into the war at all.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm that International Military Services, which is an agency of the Ministry of Defence, still retains a facility in Tehran? Will she further confirm that the Iranian office in London—at 4 Victoria Street, I believe—organises 80 per cent. of Iran's arms imports? To what extent is that known to Her Majesty's Government? Given the clear statement of Her Majesty's Government that they wish to see this tragic war ended as soon as possible, is it not wrong for us to give any facility whatsoever?

Baroness Young

My Lords, we are aware of the allegations concerning the activities of the Iranian military procurement offices in London. Our understanding is that the organisation from Britain of arms sales to Iran is not illegal unless the goods concerned are imported into or exported from the United Kingdom in breach of British law. We have no firm evidence of that. If we obtain evidence of illegal activities, suitable steps will be taken by the appropriate authorities.

Lord Gladwyn

My Lords, do the Government feel that the recent substantial quantity of arms provided by the American Administration to the Government of the Ayatollah Khomeini will have any noticeable result on the outcome of this unfortunate war?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I do not think it would be right for me to comment on the policy of the American Government with regard to their sale of arms or any of the subsequent consequences.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is not the noble Baroness aware that it would appear it is not the policy of the United States Government? That is why they have had an inquiry into people who, without any authority whatever, carried on this trade in death'and destruction by delivering armaments to Iran in return for the release of Americans who may be held there. The American Government and Congress say that it was done without consent. Therefore, is it not right and proper that we should tell the Americans that we are in the difficult situation where we are trying to end the war and they are unofficially exacerbating it?

Baroness Young

My Lords, our view on arms supplies to Iran and doing deals with those holding hostages is well known. I do not think it is right for me to comment on any other aspects of the American Government's policies.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is not the noble Baroness aware that her noble friend Lord Trefgarne recently stated quite clearly in the House that 'arms from Britain are sold to the Iranians, the excuse being that they are non-lethal? Is the noble Baroness further aware that Mr. Colin Chandler of the Ministry of Defence recently made a speech in which he laid something with which most people would agree—that there is no such thing as non-lethal armaments?

Baroness Young

My Lords, our policy on defence sales to Iran is well known, and as part of our scrupulously maintained impartiality in the conflict we refuse to sell to either side defence equipment which will significantly enhance the capability to prolong or exacerbate the conflict.