§ Mr. DicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any person connected with the Church of England has made contact either in the United Kingdom or elsewhere during the past year with any representative of Her Majesty's Government regarding the admission to the United Kingdom of Iranian nationals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe admission of foreign nationals to the United Kingdom is a matter for my right hon. Friend the414W Home Secretary, not the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. But my hon. Friend may have in mind representations made by a representative of the Church of England last year concerning a possible application for entry into the United Kingdom of Mohammed Rahmani Tabor for urgent medical treatment. We are always prepared to consider such humanitarian cases sympathetically, and, where possible, we try to process such applications speedily. However, there can be no question of any Iranian national entering the United Kingdom without valid entry clearance, and no discussions along these lines took place. In the event, Mr. Rahmani Tabor did not submit an application.
§ Mr. DicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all third parties used by Her Majesty's Government in its dealings with the Iranian Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorBritain maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and all communications with the Iranian Government are conducted through conventional diplomatic channels. In the absence of British representation in Tehran, our interests there are looked after by the Swedish embassy.