To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the United States Government to remove their embargo on the sale of component parts of the BAe 146 feeder airliner to Iran; and if he will make a statement.

The Government have made a number of representations to the United States Administration in support of British Aerospace's application for the re-export to Iran of the United States content of six BAe146 aircraft. The decision of the United States authorities to reject the application is disappointing. The Government will continue to press for the decision to be changed.