Iran (Hansard, 13 February 2004)

§ Mr. McFall
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Iranian Government on(a) cultural and (b) educational programmes. [154094]

§ Mr. Mullin
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed educational and cultural matters with the Iranian Government, most recently during the visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to London in February 2003.
In the last few years, the Government has stepped up its promotion of educational and cultural links with Iran, for example through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholarships scheme, which enables a number of high-achieving Iranians to study at UK universities each year. The British Council reopened in Tehran in 2001.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had while in Iran on the treatment of(a) different ethnic groups and (b) women within that country; and if he will make a statement. [155833]

§ Mr. Rammell
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. But in his other frequent contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made clear our serious concerns about discrimination against and persecution of women and minorities in Iran.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had while in Iran on the development of democracy in that country; and if he will make a statement. [155834]

§ Mr. Rammell
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. However, in other contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made clear our support for the development of democracy and reform, and our deep concern at the disqualification of candidates from the parliamentary elections on 20 February.
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§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he(a) received and (b) made while on his recent visit to Iran on religious freedoms. [155835]

§ Mr. Rammell
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, with his French and German counterparts. On that occasion, the three Ministers decided to focus their discussion with Iranian leaders solely on the nuclear issue. However, in other contacts with the Iranian Government, he has made our serious concerns about restrictions on religious freedom in Iran and the persecution of people for their beliefs.

§ Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he(a) received and (b) made while on his recent visit to Iran, on the recent mass resignation of Iranian MPs; and if he will make a statement. [155836]

§ Mr. Rammell
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last visited Iran in October 2003, before the disqualification of candidates for the Majlis elections and the mass resignation of Iranian MPs. In contacts with Iranian leaders since the current dispute began, he has made clear our deep concerns. For elections in any country to be free and fair, it is essential that voters should be able to choose from a range of candidates.