§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Iran.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. and learned Friend agreed with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 30 September in New York that full diplomatic representation would be restored in Tehran and London. Talks between Iranian and British officials on implementing this agreement have now been concluded. Relations between the two countries will be conducted in accordance with the Vienna conventions on diplomatic and consular relations, to which both countries are signatories. We hope that this agreement will form the basis for developing a more constructive and businesslike relationship with Iran in the future. A chargé will be in place in one month and other staff will follow. We will consider the raising of representational levels from charge to ambassador in due course.