§ 3.22 p.m.
§ Baroness Ewart-Biggs asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What steps they are taking to improve relations with Iran.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, we are in regular contact with the Iranians through diplomatic channels in both London and Tehran about all aspects of our bilateral relationship with them.
§ Baroness Ewart-BiggsMy Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that a major obstacle in relations between the two countries is Iraq's continuing human rights abuse? Does he agree that Amnesty International has reported on this and confirmed that mass executions, arbitrary political arrests and torture continue in Iran?
In the light of that, can the Minister say whether the abuse of human rights in Iraq has yet been considered at the present session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva? Can he also say whether Her Majesty's Government will support the extension of the mandate of the UN Special Representative to monitor human rights in Iraq?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I believe that the noble Baroness is confused between Iraq and Iran. I have to admit that I thought of many supplementary questions that the noble Baroness might ask about bilateral relations but I do not have the answers to her questions. I shall see whether I can find them for her.
§ Lord EnnalsMy Lords, does the Minister accept the point made by my noble friend that the Government's relationship with Iran should take into consideration the appalling human rights record there, the number of people who are held in detention and the amount of torture? Is he aware that Amnesty International has for many years been denied access to Iran? Surely those factors should play a high part in determining Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Iran.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the noble Lord is right, our relations with all countries very much take human rights into account.
§ Lord Hailsham of Saint MaryleboneMy Lords, may not part of the clue to the problem be to bring it home to the governments of Iran, Iraq and Libya that their record in human rights does far more harm to the Moslem religion than all the Salman Rushdie novels in the world?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, my noble and learned friend has a point in saying that countries who have bad human rights records do not present themselves in the West in the best possible light.
§ Lord Cledwyn of PenrhosMy Lords, has the noble Earl read the report in the newspaper the Observer that Iran has reactivated its military procurement 1367 office in London with the knowledge, if not the official blessing, of British authorities? Will he say whether there is any truth in that?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I can make the situation absolutely clear. Her Majesty's Government decided that the Iranian military procurement office should close in September 1987. We have not subsequently given approval for an arms purchasing mission to be set up in Britain by the Iranian Government.
Lord MorrisMy Lords, does my noble friend agree that it would be more productive to address these questions to supporters of the Government of Iran, and indeed the Iran Government themselves, rather than Her Majesty's Government?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, all I can do, like any Minister, is to try my best to answer questions put to me.