Written question asked by Lord McCabe (Labour) on Thursday, 25 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 December 1999. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 December 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Iranian authorities regarding the political trial of Abdollah Nouri; and what assessment he has made of the implications of the trial for (a) United Kingdom-Iran relations and (b) the parliamentary elections promised for February.

Answer: Mr. McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian authorities regarding the political trial of Abdullah Nouri; and what assessment he has made of the implications of the trial for (a) United Kingdom-Iran relations and (b) the parliamentary elections promised for February. [100617] Mr. Hain: We and our EU partners have been following closely the trial by the Court of the Clergy of Abdullah Nouri, for which sentence was passed on 28 November. How Mr. Nouri's sentencing to five years imprisonment will effect February's Majles elections is a matter for speculation. We hope that the elections will take place in as free and fair conditions as possible. It is too early to say what impact Mr. Nouri's conviction will have on UK/Iran relations.

Secondary information