§ 57. Sir Anthony Royleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether his reply to the hon. Member for Richmond, Surrey on 10 June 1981, Official Report, c. 160–61, that the legal formalities on the sale of the former British consulate in Chiangmai, Thailand, are now being completed, took account of the fact that the right of Her Majesty's Government to dispose of the consulate in Chiangmai is being queried by the authorities; which authorities are concerned; and if he now make a corrected statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergYes, my previous reply took account of legal queries raised by the Thai equivalent of our Land Registry. It has questioned whether the Secretary of State for the Environment is empowered to dispose of land registered in the name of the British Government and whether the ambassador can act on behalf of the Secretary of State. These technicalities are being dealt with by the embassy's legal adviser in consultation with the PSA and are not expected to frustrate the sale.