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Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): May we have a debate as soon as possible on Iran? Does the Leader of the House accept that it is not only the Iranian President's words about Israel last week or the nuclear programme that cause concern, but Iran's grisly human rights record? In July, two young men were killed in north-east Iran merely for being gay, and 30 young people under the age of 18 are on death row. Those are only the people we know about. May we have a debate and break with convention by not holding it on the Adjournment of the House but on a resolution, so that the Government of Iran understand that not only the Government but the whole House is worried about our relations with that country?
Mr. Hoon: I emphasise again the importance that the Government attach to the disturbing situation in Iran. My hon. Friend is right to point not only to the terrible statement by the Iranian President but to a range of other issues that the Government clearly take seriously. Indeed, this morning, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary set out several concerns to the Cabinet about Iran. It is therefore much in our minds and we must continue to deal with it through the careful international diplomacy that has produced results. It is a clear sign of the international community's unity that France and the United States co-sponsored a resolution to ensure that there is a genuine way forward for the international community to deal with the disturbing situation in Iran.
