§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs intends to reply to the letter to him from the Lord Lamont of Lerwick sent in August about HM Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay. [HL4981]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary apologises that the noble Lord has not yet received a response to his letter. The Foreign Secretary is giving careful consideration to the issues raised as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's examination of how best to deploy its resources in support of the UK's strategic priorities, and will reply once decisions have been taken.
§ Lord Lamont of Lerwickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which embassies in Central and South America have been closed in the past five years, ending ambassadorial representation; in which cases the properties were sold; and in each such case what loss or profit occurred. [HL4982]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Embassies in Tegucigalpa, Managua and San Salvador were closed in financial year 2003–04 and non-resident ambassadors appointed. The net annual running cost saving from closing these embassies was £958,000.
The offices and residences in Tegucigalpa and Managua were leased. The offices in San Salvador were purchased in November 2001 for 2,233,700 dollars (£1,573,582), and sold in May 2004 for 1,711,000 dollars (£939,869). Allowing for transaction and fit-out costs, the overall loss incurred in selling the San Salvador offices was £1,508,300; we judge that this will be outweighed by the running cost savings within six years of closing this embassy. The San Salvador Residence, purchased in 1976, is for sale and under offer.