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Proliferation in Parliament

Back to Proliferation in Parliament, September - November 2007

Westminster Parliament

Key to House of Commons Column Numbering

W Written Answers, House of Commons
WS Written Ministerial Statements, House of Commons
Column number with no letters Oral Proceedings in the House of Commons

UK Policy on Iran

Iran: Nuclear Power, Written Answers, 27 Nov 2007, Column 345W

Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iranian nationals received training in Britain in nuclear-related disciplines in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: It is not possible to provide these figures, as universities are only required to supply data relating to the highest level of subject classification rather than a detailed course breakdown (e.g. number studying physics, rather than number studying nuclear physics). Similarly, universities are not obliged to provide nationality data, only the country of domicile.

However, through the voluntary vetting scheme and now the academic technology approval scheme (ATAS), we do have the means, and have used it, to stop Iranian applications for proliferation-sensitive subjects where there are concerns. Under ATAS, non-European economic area students intending to undertake postgraduate study in the UK in areas which have been identified as sensitive need to apply for counter-proliferation clearance from the Government before taking up their study.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/
cm071127/text/71127w0014.htm#07112753000148

Iran: Sanctions, Written Answers, 27 Nov 2007, Column 345W

Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his assessment is of the implementation of European Union sanctions on Iran, with particular reference to the UK's compliance; what the total amount of assets frozen is by (a) EU member states and (b) the United Kingdom in line with these sanctions; and if he will make a statement.

27 Nov 2007 : Column 346W

David Miliband: The UK is firmly committed to the full implementation of all EU sanctions, along with our EU partners.

EU member states do not systematically share detailed information concerning the value of funds they have identified and frozen. However, they are legally obliged to freeze all funds and economic resources belonging to persons and entities listed under the sanctions regime. It is prohibited to make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to these persons and entities.

The reported balance of UK frozen funds in relation to UN and EU sanctions on Iran amounts to £512,982,378.00.

Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the Government's policy that credit guarantees on British exports to Iran should be curtailed; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Government, through the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), are not progressing applications for new cover for Iran. No new export credit guarantees have been issued for Iran since September 2006. As part of their work to increase multilateral sanctions against Iran, the Government are discussing ways of denying Iran access to export credit finance.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/
cm071127/text/71127w0014.htm#07112753000148

Iran: Weapons, Written Answers, 26 November 2007, Column 221W

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect on Iranian weapons procurement of the proposed US arms package for states neighbouring or near to Iran.

Dr. Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not made an assessment of the impact of any US decisions on Iranian conventional weapons procurement.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/
cm071126/text/71126w0053.htm#07112731000026

Iran: Sanctions, Written Answers, 21 Nov 2007, Column 942W

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on sanctions against Iran; and what the role of the House is in the formulation of any such policy in relation to the use of the armed forces.

Dr. Howells: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his Guildhall speech on 12 November, Iran has a choice-confrontation with the international community leading to a tightening of sanctions or, if it changes its approach, a transformed relationship with the world. Iran has so far chosen to continue with its nuclear proliferation-sensitive activities, as the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report (on 15 November) makes clear. In response, we must increase the pressure on Iran to persuade it to comply with its international obligations. The UK will work for a further sanctions resolution at the UN Security Council as well as EU and unilateral measures, ranging from prohibitions on investment in oil and gas sectors, to denying Iran access to export credit finance.

While the House has no formal role in formulating Iran sanctions policy, both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I set great store by the views of the House. We answer regular parliamentary questions and stay in close touch with the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC). I will be giving evidence before the FAC myself later this month following its visit this month to Iran.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/
cm071121/text/71121w0023.htm#07112190000214

Iran, Written Answers, 20 Nov 2007, Column 732W

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on Iran's nuclear programme.

Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Iran's nuclear programme with EU Foreign Ministers at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 15 October. Since then he has held discussions on the issue with the French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Belgian and Finnish Foreign Ministers and with Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/
cm071120/text/71120w0018.htm#07112116000058

Iran: Sanctions, Written Answers, 14 Nov 2007, Column 318W

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the request of the French government for stronger sanctions against Iran; and whether any proposed sanction will include the relevant activities of the Total Oil Company.

Dr. Howells: The Government are fully committed to stronger measures against Iran, to persuade the Iranian government to change its nuclear policy. We are working closely at all levels with the French government, who share our views on the need to increase the pressure on Iran. EU Foreign Ministers agreed at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 15 October that the EU would consider what further measures it should take, and we will be pressing for a decision to implement appropriate further measures at the December GAERC, following discussion in the relevant EU working groups. The Government, together with our E3+3 partners (China, France, Germany, Russia and the US), are committed to putting a new sanctions resolution to a vote at the UN unless reports this month from Dr. Solana and Dr. El Baradei both show a positive outcome. Sanctions adopted at the UN or the EU will apply to the companies of all member states.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/
cm071114/text/71114w0017.htm#07111454000015

Prime Minister's speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet, 12 November 2007, excerpt

New initiatives in non-proliferation

And just as we will continue to be a leading nation in negotiating nuclear arms reductions, so we must be at the forefront of meeting the challenge of preventing nuclear weapons proliferation. And with more sophisticated after-the-fact detection of the source of nuclear materials there must be a determination to hold to account both active providers and potential users.

I propose internationally agreed access to an enrichment bond or nuclear fuel bank to help non-nuclear states acquire the new sources of energy they need. But this offer should be made only as long as these countries renounce nuclear weapons and meet internationally enforced non-proliferation standards.

The greatest immediate challenge to non-proliferation is Iran's nuclear ambitions, hidden from the world for many years in breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Iran has a choice - confrontation with the international community leading to a tightening of sanctions or, if it changes its approach and ends support for terrorism, a transformed relationship with the world.

Unless positive outcomes flow from Javier Solana's report and the IAEA, we will lead in seeking tougher sanctions both at the UN and in the European Union, including on oil and gas investment and the financial sector. Iran should be in no doubt about our seriousness of purpose.

Prime Minister's Questions, 24 October 2007, Column 283

Mr. Michael Meacher (Oldham, West and Royton) (Lab): Given the increasingly belligerent noises from the White House, will my right hon. Friend give a clear commitment that if there were a United States or Israeli military attack on Iran he would not support it militarily, logistically or politically?

The Prime Minister: We pursue a diplomatic course of action. I believe that we will have to step up our sanctions over the next few weeks. I have already told other countries that we are prepared to lead the way to a third resolution of sanctions, and at the same time support tougher European Union sanctions. I will rule nothing out, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that I believe that both the diplomatic route and the sanctions are having an effect and, if stepped up, can have an even bigger effect in the future.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/
cm071024/debtext/71024-0002.htm#07102442000059

General Affairs and External Relations Council, Written Statement, 19 Oct 2007, Column 61WS

The Minister for Europe (Mr. Jim Murphy): My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, Kim Darroch (UK Permanent Representative to the EU) and I represented the UK at the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Luxemb ourg. ...

Iran

The Council discussed ways the EU could contribute to international efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue, which include the E3+3-led (UK, France, Germany, Russia, China and US) twin-track diplomatic approach supported by the Government, offering Iran a substantial package of benefits if they co-operate, but incremental UN sanctions if they continue to defy international law.

The Council adopted Conclusions which fully reflect the Government's position, reiterating its support for the efforts by the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to encourage Iran to return to talks on a long-term solution, and calling for Iran's full and timely implementation of all measures required by or agreed with the International Atomic and Energy Agency, while expressing the EU's intention to consider what additional measures it might take to support the UN process and the shared objectives of the international community.

....

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/
cm071019/wmstext/71019m0001.htm#07101933000010

Iran: Overseas Investment, Written Answers, 15 Oct 2007, Column 806W

Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department is advising UK businesses not to invest in Iranian oil and gas-related projects; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hutton: UK Trade and Investment advice makes clear to British companies the considerable commercial and political risks associated with investment in Iran, including the implications of existing and potential future sanctions. However, investment decisions within the current legal boundaries remain a commercial decision for individual companies.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/
cm071015/text/71015w0014.htm#07101537000075

EU: General Affairs and External Relations Council, Written Statement, 11 Oct 2007, Column WS41

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): My honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Jim Murphy) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will be held on 15 October in Luxembourg. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (David Miliband) and I will represent the UK.

...

11 Oct 2007, Column WS43

Iran

The council is expected to discuss steps that the EU can take to support the agreed twin-track international approach to the Iranian nuclear issue. This includes discussions between the high representative for common foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, and Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and incremental sanctions against Iran for continued defiance of the will of the international community, as set out in UN Security Council Resolutions 1696, 1737 and 1747. The Government support the twin-track approach and believe it is important that the EU should consider appropriate measures to put pressure on Iran in parallel with the UN process.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/
cm071011/wmstext/71011m0001.htm#07101121000010

Prime Minister's Monthly Press Conference 8 October 2007

Question: Prime Minister, you have said that you want to listen to the British people. One of the things that the British people seem to be demonstrating is no appetite for any new war related to Iraq. Yet the war drums are banging in Washington for an attack on Iran. Are you prepared to follow previous Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, in saying that such an attack is inconceivable. And indeed are you prepared to go further and say that you would neither support nor assist any American attack on Iran?

Prime Minister: I will follow what I have said myself only recently that we take very seriously what the Iranians are trying to do in building up their nuclear capability for nuclear weapons. This cannot go unchallenged given that it is a breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. If they do not co-operate with the international authorities that are examining their nuclear installations, or potential nuclear installations, that is a very big breach of international rules as well. And we believe however that this matter can be resolved by diplomatic means, by the Resolutions that have been passed by the United Nations, by sanctions if necessary, but I am not prepared to go further than that. What I am prepared to say is we take very seriously what Iran is proposing and we are prepared to use the methods that we have used in diplomatic sanctions to deal with this problem and I do not rule out anything.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page13457.asp

Iran: Sanctions, Written Answers, 12 Sep 2007, Column 2064W

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with his US counterpart about extending (a) financial, (b) trade and (c) travel sanctions against Iran.

Dr. Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary maintains regular contact with his US counterpart and other key allies on the situation in Iran. Discussions are also taking place at senior official level within the E3+3 process (UK, France, Germany, US, Russia and China) about the next stages of the international community's response to Iran's failure to respect its international obligations. This process includes discussion of possible further restrictive measures against Iran. The Government and the US administration are united in the belief that Iran must realise that its continued defiance of the UN Security Council will not be cost free.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/
cm070912/text/70912w0004.htm#07091219000056

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