HC Deb 16 November 1982 vol 32 c120W
Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of European Economic Community member States about granting asylum to Iranian nationals.

Mr. Onslow

The granting of asylum to foreign nationals is a matter within the competence of individual European Community States. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has recently instructed that when an Iranian national would not normally be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom, but expresses a fear of returning to Iran, his case should be considered with humanity and sympathy with a view to allowing him to remain in this country on an exceptional basis.