HL Deb 29 March 1984 vol 450 cc464-5WA
Lord Fanshawe of Richmond

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the sale of the British Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand, has been completed; what price was obtained for the property; on what date contracts were exchanged and how much was received from the purchaser; and whether they will make a statement.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

The sale by tender of the former British Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was finally completed on 12th March. The price, agreed in April 1980, was Baht 15,000,000 (equivalent to £340,000 at the then rate of exchange). Contracts were exchanged in July 1980 and the purchaser paid a deposit of Baht 3,750,000 (=£77,543 at Baht 48.36=£1) in August 1980. The balance of the purchase price amounting to Baht 11,250,000 (=£339,981 at the then current exchange rate) was paid on completion on 12th March 1984. In addition, the purchaser paid Baht 340,000 towards our legal costs.

At the stage of completion of the sale, the Thai authorities questioned our title to the property. It was not until earlier this year that the ensuing negotiations could be resolved satisfactorily.