HC Deb 02 July 1951 vol 489 cc177-8W
55. Sir H. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date towards the beginning of the year the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company asked the permission of the Foreign Office to make certain new proposals to the Persian Government; and on what date the permission asked was granted.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is not bound to seek the permission of the Foreign Office before making proposals to the Persian Government. Nevertheless the closest possible contact is and has been maintained between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and all departments of His Majesty's Government concerned in formulating policy during the present dispute. The Company's representative told the Persian Prime Minister on 10th February, 1951, that the Company would be willing to examine an arrangement based upon an equal sharing of profits in Persia. This step was taken after discussions with the interested departments of His Majesty's Government at the end of January.

63. Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what broadcasts have been directed to Persia during the past six weeks in an effort to explain the British point of view in the present oil dispute.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The B.B.C.'s Persian service is broadcast daily from 7.15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Persian time, which is the peak listening period. During recent weeks extensive news and comment about the situation in Persia has been carried, and our point of view clearly explained. The B.B.C. receive about 150 letters a week from Persian listeners which bear this out. On 20th June an additional 15 minutes was added at 1.30 p.m. Persian time, and on 28th June 15 minutes more was added at 8 a.m. Persian time, making a daily total of one and a quarter hours directed to Persia in the Persian language.

69. Mr. Edward Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Persian oil dispute has yet been reported to the Security Council as provided for in Articles 34 and 35 of the United Nations Charter.

Mr. Ernest Davies

No. The articles mentioned impose no obligation on members to refer any matter to the Security Council.