– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 June 1951.
Mr Anthony Eden
, Warwick and Leamington
12:00,
27 June 1951
(By Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make about the situation in Persia.
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Lewisham South
Yes, Sir. No significant developments have taken place in the Persian oil situation since my statement in the House yesterday. The latest information suggests that the Persian authorities are continuing to interfere in various ways in the Company's operations, and that their attitude as regards tankers remains unaltered.
The House will have seen Press reports that the Persian Prime Minister has made an appeal to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company personnel to transfer their services to the "National Iranian Oil Company." He has apparently added that their departure would be a loss not only to Persia but to the free nations of the world, a view which we share. But, on the other hand, we find it difficult to believe that this highly competent and loyal staff will wish to break their contracts and serve under a Government which has already given such manifest proofs of intransigence and of lack of grasp of realities.
I have already undertaken to keep the House informed of any developments, and I will make a further statement as soon as developments make this desirable.
Mr Winston Churchill
, Woodford
In view of the critical situation which prevails upon this issue, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he would be willing to receive a deputation from His Majesty's Opposition, consisting of myself, my right hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden) and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords, in order that we could discuss some points which at this juncture are better dealt with in private than across the Floor of the House.
Mr Clement Attlee
, Walthamstow West
Certainly. I would welcome such a discussion. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I am always ready to see him or his colleagues on any point. I certainly think that there are matters which cannot be discussed on the Floor of the House in the present critical situation, and I should be perfectly willing to give the right hon. Gentleman the very fullest information.
Mr Winston Churchill
, Woodford
I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman.
Mr Somerset De Chair
, Paddington South
Could the Foreign Secretary clarify one point that was not elucidated in the exchanges yesterday? Could he say whether the Royal Navy has been sent into Abadan to protect the British civilians carrying on their lawful occasions in the oil installations pending a decision of The Hague Court, or whether they have merely been sent in order to provide a shield for them in being. evacuated?
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Lewisham South
I really would have thought that the hon. Member might have taken the hint from the Leader of the Opposition that there are some things that are better discussed privately.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Scotstoun
Can the Foreign Secretary confirm or otherwise the Press reports that the women and children have now been successfully evacuated?
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Lewisham South
I think so, Sir.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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