Q11. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Prime Minister what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the return of Iranian students to Iran in view of the current situation in that country.
§ The Prime MinisterUnder the immigration rules, a student seeking admission must show that he intends to leave on completion of his studies and can maintain himself and his dependants without working or recourse to public funds. The Government do not believe that the current situation in Iran is such as to entitle Iranian 83W students in general to remain exceptionally, but we do consider carefully applications that individual Iranians should not be returned to Iran owing to a well-founded fear of persecution. A general exception for Iranian students would be incompatible with our policy of maintaining a tight control on immigration.