§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from Her Majesty's ambassadors regarding the Iran-Iraq war; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonWe receive regular reports from Her Majesty's ambassador in Baghdad and the acting head of the British interests section in Tehran. We deplore the latest escalation in the fighting between Iran and Iraq, which has resulted in further tragic loss of life, and hope that both sides will heed the United Nations Secretary-General's appeal of 14 February which called for a cessation of hostilities so that negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement might take place.