§ Mrs. Knightasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the proclaimed solidarity of the Nine EEC Governments in calling upon Iran to free the American diplomats held hostage has been followed up by joint action to bring pressure to bear which is likely to be effective.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe Nine, together with other Western countries, have taken a series of political and economic measures, the details of which are already well known to the House. These measures are designed to show the Iranian authorities that there are real penalties for continuing to hold the hostages. It is impossible to guage the exact effect of such action, but we intend to maintain the pressure.