§ 70. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the number of British Legations abroad of which His Majesty's Government own the buildings; what is the number held on lease; and what is the total annual amount of rent paid for these leasehold buildings?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. GILMOUR (for the First Commissioner of Works)His Majesty's Government own the buildings of 17 Legations. There are also 17 buildings held on lease at a total annual rental of £15,100.
§ 71. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the buildings of the nine occupied British Embassies abroad are the property of His Majesty's Government; whether he can state approximately the amount originally expended in the purchase of those buildings which are owned by the Government; and what is the approximate value of that property to-day?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that the summer residence only at Rio is the property of His Majesty's Government. Figures are not available in regard to Tokio, but the cost of the remainder was £252,759, the site at Constantinople and the villa at Posilipo being gifts. I regret that I am not in a position to give a reliable estimate of the present day value.