§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the specific duties notified to him of the six persons in the Iranian embassy described solely as attachés; and whether he will invite the chargé d'affaires to reduce the number.
§ Mr. WhitneyNo. No further information is notified to us as to the specific duties of these persons. It is for the sending state to determine the functions and rank of its staff. However, the overall size of all missions, new appointments to them and the activities of members of their staff are kept under review.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic advice was given by his Department to Iran in the summer of 1983 608W regarding the contents of political banners hung outside the Iranian embassy on the day described as Al-Quds day; whether he has received any request for any politically controversial material in the current year; and what response he has made.
§ Mr. LuceThe Iranian chargé d'affaires was called to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and told that the displaying of such banners would require planning permission from Westminster city council. Without this permission the display would be in contravention of article 41 of the Vienna convention. We have received no requests for the displaying of banners this year.