§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of the rehousing of the European Commission offices in Tokyo; how the cost is being met; what is the purpose of the changes; whether the United Kingdom Government were consulted; and whether the proposed new offices will have facilities which will improve trading opportunities for the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Commission has yet again proposed that a new building should be acquired to house the European Community's office in Tokyo. It estimates that the capital cost of this would be 14.3 mecu—about£8 million converted at the rate of £1= 1.81 ecu. Member States, including the United Kingdom, have not so far agreed to the Commission's proposal since they do not consider that sufficient information to take a decision has been made available.