Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reported raids by Iranian intelligence and security forces on the homes of representatives of workers of Ahvaz Steel National Industrial Group and subsequent arrests; and whether they intend to make representations to the government of Iran about those raids.

The steelworkers have been on strike for over 40 days, with the presence of riot police reportedly increasing over the last week, and a total of 30 steelworkers currently being detained. Several Members of the Iranian Parliament have now asked the Labour Minister and Khuzestan governor to secure the release of those arrested. The British Government continues to raise concerns about the treatment of demonstrators and protesters, and the severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.