§ 58. Mr. McWilliamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the war between Iran and Iraq and its implications for the situation in the middle east was last discussed by European Community Foreign Ministers.
§ Mr. HurdThis has not been formally discussed at a meeting of the Ten Foreign Ministers since June last year, but both Ministers and officials of the Ten keep the implications of the war under regular review. We do not see any direct role for the Ten to play since we lack adequate leverage with the combatants. We are ready to support any effort which has a realistic hope of bringing an early and negotiated settlement to the conflict.
§ 59. Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any equipment of potential military application, not being lethal equipment as referred to in the answer of 9 February, Official Report, c. 995, has been supplied to Iran or Iraq during the present war between the two countries.
§ Mr. HurdAs I told the hon. Member for Harlow (Mr. Newens) on 18 February—[Vol. 37, c.281]—we have not supplied lethal equipment to either side in the war between Iran and Iraq. Sales of arms and military equipment are subject to the customary licensing procedures. It is not the policy of the Government to discuss individual contracts.
§ 61. Mr. Ennalsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice Her Majesty's Government are giving to British subjects residing in or travelling to Iran or Iraq, following the recent disclosure that four Britons have been killed to date in the Iran-Iraq war.
§ Mr. HurdThe four British subjects killed as a result of the Iran-Iraq war died on 23 September 1980, a few hours after the fighting began.
British subjects are warned to stay away from the war zone and to register on arrival in Iran with the British interests section of the Royal Swedish embassy in Tehran, and in Iraq with the British embassy in Baghdad.
More general advice, for example on local laws and customs, is also available.
§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any information as to the number of Iranians killed in recent fighting in the Iran-Iraq war; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdWe do not know how many Iranians have died in the recent fighting. In the course of the war tens of thousands have died on both sides. Others have been wounded or taken prisoner. The Iranian cities of Abadan and Khorramshahr have suffered very severe damage. Her Majesty's Government's overriding interest is to encourage an early and negotiated settlement.