HL Deb 26 May 2004 vol 661 cc143-4WA
Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans they have for the future of the old embassy compound in Baghdad following the completion of the new embassy; and whether they will consider its use for housing cultural organisations, such as the British Council and the British School of Archaeology in Iraq, which have been maintained in Iraq by European nations, including the United Kingdom.[HL2914]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

It is too soon to say if the old embassy site could be made available to the British Council or other organisations. The security situation remains too insecure to reoccupy. We shall keep the future of this site under review.