HC Deb 24 April 1980 vol 983 cc250-1W
Mr. Arnold

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many (a) EEC and (b) NATO Governments have diplomatic representation in Tehran; and how the level of staffing of Her Majesty's Embassy, Tehran compares to the staffing of EEC member country and NATO member country missions in Tehran.

Mr. Hurd

With the exception of Luxembourg, all the European Community countries, and all NATO Governments, have diplomatic representation in Iran, though United States diplomatic staff are held by the Iranian Government or the militants at present in the United States Embassy. The level of our staffing has been, until the present reductions, broadly comparable bearing in mind the differing interests of the countries concerned. The United States Government broke relations with Iran on 7 April.

Mr. Arnold

asked the Lord Privy Seal what regular arrangements exist for consultations between Her Majesty's Embassy, Tehran and (a) EEC member country and (b) NATO member country missions in Tehran.

Mr. Hurd

The ambassadors of the Nine meeting in the framework of political co-operation have consulted regularly and co-operated very closely in recent months. Consultation with other NATO embassies is on an ad hoc basis.