Iran (Hansard, 21 May 1999)

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the new British Ambassador to Iran to be appointed; and if he will name him. [84741]

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 18 May that Britain and Iran have agreed to upgrade relations by appointing Ambassadors in Tehran and London. Mr. Nick Browne will be British Ambassador in Tehran.

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what loans have been made by the British Government to Iran in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [84755]

§ Mr. Hoon
The British Government made no loans to Iran in the period specified. Short-term ECGD cover has been available since July 1998, but so far this facility has not been used.

§ Mr. Cox
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers have visited Iran in each of the last three years. [84754]

§ Mr. Hoon
There have been no ministerial visits to Iran in the last three years. The last UK Minister to travel to Iran was Baroness Chalker, who visited Iraqi Kurdish refugees in north-west Iran in 1991.