TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 269

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Mr Harrison (P CC U W 60)

DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE

1.

Mr Millar has left his suggestions so vague as to make it diffi- cult to define what the Committee's interests are outside Hong Kong. Of course Tehran is an interesting place to visit but is there any strong justification for the Committee to go there? If it is defence sales that they are interested in, we, and I am sure MOD Sales, would be against their visiting Tehran. Defence sales are very much the Shah's personal preserve and it would be clearly difficult for the Committee to have access to him. Moreover, he would be suspicious of their motives and this could be detrimental to our interests. Anything about our defence sales to Iran could be more easily con- sidered here in London.

2. If the Committee are interested in "accommodation and staffing", I think our Embassy would despair. They have just gone through a thorough inspection (twice in four months in the case of the commercial section). Moreover, at the time of the proposed visit they will be inundated with commercial and other visitors (for your own information we are planning a visit by the Prime Minister at that time) who would take priority for their attention.

3. As for Masirah, there is nothing to add to the MOD's views on A visit there.

4.

If they insist on visiting Tehran and Masirah we would wish an opportunity to put this to Ministers in view of buc. considerable political, commercial and military interests thrckel.

iz..

21 May 1975

Cc:

Mr Timms (HKIOD K 247) —

Mr Cormack (Defence Dept E MS 14) Mr Thomson (SWPD K 259)

Mr Seaward (SAD W 140

Mr Weston (SEED W 106) Mr Eyers (PUSD)

CODE 18.77

CONFIDENTIAL

U

T J Clark

Middle East Dept W 97 MA 548

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