471
[Mr. Faulds.]
Iran
Iran
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23 APRIL 1980
draw the conclusion that we were only fair weather friends.
action is undertaken by United States forces the utmost solidarity of which he spoke will very quickly evaporate?
Mr. Hurd: I do not accept the first part of the hon. Gentleman's remarks.
On the second part, certainly we would regard any suggestion of military action --no such suggestion has yet been made -as having very dangerous implica- tions.
Sir Walter Clegg: Is my hon. Friend aware that many British firms in Iran which undertook contracts before the revolution are now being threatened by the Iranian Government with the cashing in of bonds which were given at that time and which are now made impossible of performance by the Iranian Govern- ment? Will the Government look at this matter and ensure that, if we are to impose sanctions against Iran, British firms are not made to pay out on those bonds?
Mr. Hurd: My hon. Friend has raised an important point. We understand its importance. Ministers will have to con- sider its implications very carefully and urgently. Many of the contracts and performance bonds entered into before February 1979 are covered by the ECGD. Cover was withdrawn in Febru- ary 1979 by the ECGD. Since then there obviously has been an element of risk in any new business.
Mr Winnick: While deploring the holding of the hostages, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that there is little enthusiasm in this country for economic sanctions and that some of us at least will vote against sanctions whenever the opportunity is provided in this House? As these sanc- tions are likely to be counter-productive in the situation prevailing in Iran, would it not be wise for Britain and the EEC countries alike to reconsider and recog- nise that sanctions will not work and that certainly they will not release the hostages?
Mr. Hurd: I agree that there will be little enthusiasm for sanctions in this country. I think that there would have been even less enthusiasm for returning a refusal to the President of the United States and allowing the United States to
Rev. Ian Paisley: As the Government have agreed to the request made by Presi- dent Carter on this issue-and I agree with their agreeing-is it not time that they put pressure on President Carter to release the guns for the Royal Ulster Constabulary? Members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary are being shot dead not held as hostages. It is time that we had these guns for use against the IRA.
Mr. Hurd: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his support. The question that he raised was answered yesterday in the House by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. Some of the equipment requested has been delivered. A decision on the rest is awaited.
Mr. Eldon Griffiths: Whilst supporting completely the backing that the European Community has given to the United States, may I ask my hon. Friend, on behalf of the Anglo-Iranian group in this House, which has support on both sides, to take every opportunity of expressing the sense of sadness that many of us feel that there should be a parting of the ways with the Iranian people rather than with a regime that all of us may find objectionable? We have no quarrel with the Iranian people. Will he also tell us why, after all these months, nothing has yet been done to safe- guard the Straits of Hormuz through which oil from the Gulf is carried?
Mr. Hurd: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend's first point. [An HON. MEMBER: Why?"] Because, as he rightly said, it is important to emphasise that our dispute and accusations lie against the detention of the hostages and those who are responsible for that deten- tion. We are not seeking to influence or determine the way in which the people of Iran decide their own future, and I think that that is perfectly right.
My hon. Frend is also right to draw at- tention to the importance of the Straits of Hormuz. As he knows, we are in close and, I hope, constructive touch with the United States and the Gulf Governments on this question.
Mr. Buchan : Does the hon. Gentle- man accept that many Labour Members have the gravest reservation about both the wisdom and the manner in which the decision was taken? Is it not time that