To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2010, Official Report, columns 836W, on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill, what discussions he has had with (a) his EU counterparts, (b) the High Representative and (c) the European Commission on the proposed extraterritorial legislation; and whether a common position has been agreed. (318804)

The EU's opposition to extraterritorial legislation has been made clear on many occasions. There has been regular dialogue with my EU counterparts, including the High Representative's office on this matter, although as any legislation has yet to be finalised, there has been no EU common position adopted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether sales of refined petroleum products sold to Iran by companies registered in the UK or with headquarters in the UK will be affected by the US-Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill; and what guidance his Department has issued to UK companies on the matter. (318806)

We have been closely monitoring progress of different draft Iran sanctions Bills through the House of Representatives and Senate. The two Houses of Congress have not agreed a final version to send to the President. As this legislation is yet to be finalised, it is too early to determine the extent of the effect it may have on UK companies. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills provides clear guidance for exporters on extraterritorial legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2010, Official Report, column 836W, on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Bill, what concerns he has about the use of extraterritorial legislation in respect of Iran's nuclear programme. (318807)

The UK and the US are united in their determination to address the challenge posed to the international community by Iran's nuclear ambitions. We are in constant dialogue with the US Administration to ensure that all our efforts are targeted on that rather than interrupting the sovereign right of nations to regulate activities within their own territory and interfere with the freedom of countries to conduct their own independent economic policies.