Baroness Vickersasked Her Majesty's Government:
If they will make a statement on the move of the Commonwealth Secretariat to 2 Carlton Gardens while Marlborough House is refurbished.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)On 6th April a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Marlborough House by the Secretary of State for the Environment on behalf of the British Government and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, covering arrangements relating to the move which will take place at Easter. Necessary refurbishment of the centre block of Marlborough House is expected to take about three and a half years to complete, following which the secretariat will reoccupy the premises.