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Iran (British Embassy Staff)

Volume 983: debated on Thursday 24 April 1980

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asked the Lord Privy Seal what restrictions, if any, are at present imposed by the Iranian Government on the movement of members of staff of Her Majesty's Embassy, Tehran.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in the light of the Prime Minister's statement to the House on Monday 14 April, it is proposed to make any changes in the staffing arrangements of Her Majesty's Embassy, Tehran.

Following the discussions of the European Community Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on 21 and 22 April, we are reducing our Embassy staff to 5 United Kingdom-based officers.

ask the Lord Privy Seal whether the staffing level of Her Majesty's Embassy, Tehran has been changed since the reduction of staff in December 1979.

Yes. The staff was gradually increased from eight United Kingdom-based officers in early January to 24 United Kingdom-based officers in mid-April. It has now been reduced to five.

ask the Lord Privy Seal what are the numbers and respective grades of members of staff of Her Majesty's Embassy, Tehran currently engaged in (a) political, (b) economic-commercial and (c) consular duties.

Besides the Ambassador, there were three political officers, three commercial, three consular and 15 support staff.With effect from 22 April, the number of United Kingdom-based staff will be fiveā€”four diplomatic staff and one other supporting officer.