The Earl of Munsterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will (a) take steps to close the Iranian Military Procurement Office; (b) investigate whether there is a case to expel Iranian and other foreign nationals working in that office; (c) investigate whether British nationals working in that office may be prosecuted; and (d) ensure that the office will not be reopened under any other guise.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessWe have not given approval for the Iranian Military Procurement Office to be set up again in Britain by the Iranian Government. Strict guidelines remain in place on the export of defence equipment. Any evidence of wrong doing would be urgently investigated and, if appropriate, would be a matter for the courts.
The Earl of Munsterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Iranian Military Procurement Office at 4 Victoria Street in London, which was ordered to close in 1987, has recently been reopened under the guise of a technology transfer office.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessThe building at 4 Victoria Street, London houses the offices of Kala, the purchasing arm of the National Iranian Oil company. It also houses a company which buys spares for Iranian civil aircraft on behalf of Iran's aircraft industry. We have not given approval for the Iranian Military Procurement Office to be set up again in Britain by the Iranian Government in any guise.
The Earl of Munsterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Iranian Military Procurement Office has recently held discussions with British Aerospace, Rover and GM Bedford for dual-use equipment.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessWe have not given approval for an arms purchasing mission to be set up again in Britain by the Iranian Government. Commercial discussions are a matter for the companies concerned. They would not be allowed to export equipment in contravention of the guidelines on the sale of defence equipment to Iran.