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19 MAY 1980
Iran (Lord Privy Seal's
[Mr. Maclennan.] compensation to stand in the way of the obviously sensible need to compensate firms that have lost out as a result of the Government's action?
Sir I. Gilmour: As I have said, we shall take into account every relevant con- sideration. But in order not to raise false hopes, I must make clear that there is no precedent for giving compensation in these matters.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: The right hon. Gentleman said that there is no precedent. Has he consulted the Secretaries of State for Industry and Employment about special compensation being paid to workers who have lost their jobs in support of a measure that is put before the House as being in the national in- terest? Does not he think that that is due, particularly in the light of the reinterpre- tation of the Act that was before the House as a Bill the other day?
Sir I. Gilmour: I can only repeat what I said in answer to the last question.
Mr. Shore: The Lord Privy Seal, having listened to the exchanges in the House, will be aware that he has not satisfied the House, particularly on the question of retrospection, which is very important. I think I am also right in saying that he has not satisfied the House in his refusal to go wider than the nar- row subject of Iran, important as it is, and to deal with the major questions that have been discussed by British Ministers in Vienna and Naples. I must ask the right hon. Gentleman again to reconsider what he has said and to make a state- ment on these subjects tomorrow.
Sir I. Gilmour: My statement had nothing to do with what was going on in Vienna, and I have already explained to the right hon. Gentleman-I am sure that, on reflection, he will realise this- the difference between an informal meet- ing and a formal meeting of Foreign Ministers.
Following is the statement:
DECLARATION BY THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE NINE CONCERN- ING IRAN.
1. At their meeting in Naples on 17 and 18 May 1980, the Foreign Ministers of the Nine Member States of the European Com- munity reconsidered, in accordance with their declaration of 22 April, the situation resulting from the detention of the American hostages
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Statement)
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in Iran, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
2. The Ministers examined the information emanating from Iran. While noting that there were a number of developments which could be important for the release of the hostages, in particular the completion of the second round of Parliamentary elections and the forthcoming convening of the Majlis, they were obliged to recognise that no decisive progress leading to the release of the hostages had been made since 22 April last.
3. Consequently, they decided immediately to apply the measures provided for in the Security Council draft resolution of 10 January 1980, according to jointly agreed conditions and procedures. They agreed, in particular, that all contracts concluded after 4 November 1979 will be affected by these measures. They will continue to consult closely pursuant to Art 224 of the Treaty of Rome.
4. The sole purpose of these measures is to hasten the release of the hostages. At the same time, the Ministers reaffirmed their in- tention to respect the independence of Iran and the right of the Iranian people to deter- mine their own future.
5. The Ministers expressed great satisfaction at the decision of the UN Secretary-General to entrust to Mr. Adib Daoudi, member of the UN Commission of Inquiry, the task of enter- ing into contact with the Iranian Government in order to enable the Commission to resume its work and to secure the resolution of the crisis. They fully support the Secretary- General and will remain in constant touch with him in order to establish whether the progress of the UN mission is such as to enable them rapidly to suspend the measures taken in respect of Iran.
IRAN (LORD PRIVY SEAL'S STATEMENT)
Mr. Dalyell: I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the pur- pose or discussing a specific and impor- tant matter that should have urgent consideration, namely,
the breach of the procedure of the House of Commons by the Government in failing to bring forward new legislation on Iran (Tem- porary Powers) in the light of the Lord Privy Seal's statement and the Government's deci- sion to backdate the imposition of sanctions to 4 November 1979."
The matter is specific in that the Iran (Temporary Powers) Act 1980 states, as a central part of the Act,
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'(2) An Order in Council under subsection (1)-(a) shall not apply to any contract made before the date on which the Order is made". In the debate on the Iran (Temporary Powers) Bill the Minister of State, For- eign and Commonwealth Office referred to two important qualifications: