HC Deb 12 May 1980 vol 984 c349W
Mr. Higgins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to implement the decision of EEC Foreign Ministers to impose visas on Iranians coming to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Whitelaw

The 1973 visa abolition agreement with Iran is being suspended and I have today laid before Parliament a statement of change in the immigration rules, the effect of which is that from 19 May all Iranian passport holders wishing to enter the United Kingdom will need to obtain visas before travelling. This applies also to Iranian passport holders already in this country who go abroad and wish to return.