Peter Kilfoyle (Liverpool, Walton, Labour)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 October 2009, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on delegated legislation (counter-terrorism), to which UN-listed organisations Bank Mellat has provided services; what indications his Department gave to Bank Mellat of its concerns prior to 12 October 2009; what concerns his Department has raised relating to those UN-listed organisations; and which (a) organisations and (b) activities supported by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines have led to the imposition of restrictions on its trading activities.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Parliamentary Secretary, HM Treasury; Portsmouth North, Labour)

In light of the sensitive nature of the information, we are unable to give further details of the organisations Bank Mellat has provided services to, or organisations and activities supported by IRISL which were relevant to the issuing of the direction.

Both target entities were informed of the decision by letter and fax within hours of laying the order in Parliament.

The UK Government have expressed their concerns on Iranian nuclear activities to the Iranian administration, most recently during talks in Geneva in early October.