§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Lord Privy Seal if, in view of the release of three of the British citizens held captive in Iran, he will pay an early visit to Tehran for the purpose of obtaining the release of the remaining British prisoner, Mr. Pyke, and in restoring diplomatic and commercial relations with Iran.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. Friend has at present no plans to visit Tehran. The Government remain deeply concerned for the British business man, Mr. Pyke, who remains in prison in Iran. We continue to do all we can on his behalf and are asking the Iranian authorities for urgent clarification of his position.
As the Government have frequently made clear, we wish to have normal relations with Iran. But the continuing uncertainties over Mr. Pyke's position make it difficult at present for us to achieve this.