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September - November 2007 Parliamentary Records: UK Policy on Iran
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 CommonsUK 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.
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.
