Written question asked by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 January 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 January 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 January 2000 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 assessment he has made of the extent to which the Iranian President is in control of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence; what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Iranian President is in control of Iran's security services.

Answer: Mr. Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Iranian President is in control of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence; [105000] (2) what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Iranian President is in control of Iran's security services. [104999] Mr. Hain: The internal workings of the Iranian Government are a matter for the Iranian people. As far as our dealings with Iran are concerned, President Khatami is the head of the Iranian Government, with responsibility for all Ministries within that Government.

Secondary information