§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are employed on commercial activities in the United Kingdom Embassy in Iran, when the number was last increased; and what plans he has for stepping up the United Kingdom's commercial representation and services to visiting British business men.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe staff of the Commercial Department of Her Majesty's Embassy in Tehran includes eight officers678W of the Diplomatic Service—six of diplomatic rank and two juniors—two locally-engaged Iranian commercial officers and six locally-engaged commercial assistants and clerical and secretarial staff.
The most recent increase was the addition of one Diplomatic Service officer in February of this year. Following a recent inspection specially to consider the staffing of the Commercial Department, two more Diplomatic Service officers and one additional locally-engaged officer are now being added to the strength.
In addition, the Ambassador and many other members of his staff devote a great deal of effort to commercial work, which is a first charge on the resources of the Diplomatic Service.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set up, as part of the United Kingdom Embassy service in Iran, a trade centre to assist British business men in their efforts to gain export orders in this market.
§ Mr. EnnalsMy right hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade are prepared to consider any suggestions for increasing our trade with Iran, but, given the nature and structure of this trade, we doubt whether the establishment of a trade centre would at the present time be the most effective way of using our resources to increase our exports to that country.