HC Deb 13 May 2003 vol 405 c161W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence was exchanged between Foreign Office Ministers and Mr. David Mills; and what representations were made to the British Embassy in Washington on his behalf concerning the sale of(a) aircraft and (b) aircraft parts to Iran. [112550]

Mr. Straw

Mr. David Mills wrote to my noble Friend Baroness Symons on 9 July 2002, and she replied on 16 July 2002. The British Embassy in Washington was consulted for advice on the drafting of the Minister's response, but no representations were made on Mr. Mills' behalf concerning the sale of aircraft, or aircraft parts, to Iran.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ministers from his Department contacted the UK Embassy in Washington to make representations to the US Government on selling jets to Iranian airlines; which Ministers sought the advice; what advice was sought; from which United States agencies it was sought; what reply was received; and to whom advice was passed outside his Department. [112551]

Mr. Straw

No FCO Minister has contacted the British Embassy in Washington to make representations to the US Government on selling jets to Iranian airlines.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written Ministerial Statement on Export Licences (Iran),Official Report, 26 March, column 6WS, from which (a) agencies, (b) bodies and (c) individuals advice was sought on the decision that the Iran Working Group should no longer convene to consider export licence applications to that country. [112552]

Mr. Straw

All appropriate experts and advisers within the Ministry of Defence, Department of Trade and Industry and Foreign and Commonwealth Office were consulted on this procedural change. The final decision was agreed jointly by the Ministers concerned.