HL Deb 04 July 1996 vol 573 cc109-10WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many representatives of the Government of Iran are currently in London; how many have diplomatic status; how many do not and how many are locally recruited; and whether any of the above have connections with the Iranian army or intelligence services.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

There are currently 15 accredited representatives of the Government of Iran in London, all of whom have full diplomatic status. Additionally, according to the Iranian Embassy, there are 14 locally recruited staff. Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, diplomatic missions are not obliged to inform the host country of the number of locally engaged staff employed, as they receive no diplomatic privileges and immunities.

The Iranian Government does not employ a Defence Attaché in the UK.