TNAG-0930-FCO40-1148-Sanctions-against-Iran-extension-to-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 243

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Oral Answers

19 MAY 1980

Mr. Teddy Taylor: Is it not a matter of concern that there are so many allega- tions including some today, of alleged links between terrorists and embassies-- mainly Islamic embassies? Does my right hon. Friend think that it would be appro- priate for the Ministers concerned to take all possible steps to expose the facts in this matter and the extent to which there is a serious problem of links between terrorists and Islamic embassies?

Mr. Maude: This matter is being con- sidered both by my right hon. and noble Friend the Foreign Secretary and by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

HKG 122/324/1

лв

1 0 JUN 1980

Iran

IRAN

The Lord Privy Seal (Sir Ian Gilmour): With permission, Mr. Speaker, I shall make a statement on Iran following the decisions taken during the informal meet- ing of Foreign Ministers of the Nine in Naples on 17-18 May. A copy of the statement issued by the Foreign Ministers of the Nine will be printed in the Official Report.

They reviewed the latest developments in Iran. There were some grounds for encouragement, but nothing that consti- tuted decisive progress leading to the hostages' release.

Accordingly, as agreed in their declara- tion of 22 April, they decided to proceed without delay with the economic sanc- tions set out in the Security Council draft resolution of 10 January. The necessary orders will now be drawn up. There is agreement that the conditions and circumstances of application to be followed will be decided in common with our partners. It is accordingly our inten- tion to act simultaneously with our part- ners on the basis of legal instruments co-ordinated to achieve parallel effect.

The House will have the opportunity to debate the orders after they have been laid. As was made clear at the time when the House was considering the Iran (Temporary Powers) Act 1980, the Gov- ernment intend to follow a variation of the affirmative resolution procedure for orders made under this Act. This means that such orders will lapse unless approved by the House within 28 sitting days. A parallel procedure will be followed for orders made under the Import, Export and Customs (Defence) Act 1939.

On the question of existing contracts, it was agreed that contracts for the ex- port of goods to Iran entered into after 4 November 1979 would be affected by the sanctions. Export of goods under such contracts would be prohibited under the 1939 Act. However, service con- tracts will not be affected, except for new service contracts in support of industrial projects, which will be banned as from the date of the entry into force of the appropriate Order in Council. We shall be co-ordinating closely with our Com- munity partners to achieve parallel effect on these questions.