§ LORD SHERFIELDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have now considered the recommendation of the Review Committee on Overseas Representation to set up an Overseas Diplomatic Estates Board, and, if so, with what result.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)My Lords, as my honourable friend the Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary said in a Written Answer in another place on June 30, the Duncan Committee's recommendation has been the subject of a detailed report by officials which is now under consideration by Ministers. It is hoped that an announcement will be made very shortly.
§ LORD SHERFIELDMy Lords, while thanking the noble Marquess for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that it is now almost exactly two years to this day that the Duncan Committee reported and said that this was an important recommendation which should be dealt with as a matter of urgency?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am well aware of that fact, and that is why I am pleased to be able to inform the noble lord and the House that an announcement will be made in the very near future.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I am not quite certain what the noble Marquess means by "the very near future ". Is 180 the noble Marquess aware that the reply he has given to the noble Lord, Lord Sherfield, is the one that I gave, I think some 19 months ago? Can the noble Marquess help us by saying what he means by the "near future"? Does he mean this Session, next Session, or the Session after?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I certainly do not mean next Session or the Session after. I mean what I said: in the very near future.