Lord Wright of Richmond
Main Page: Lord Wright of Richmond (Crossbench - Life peer)
The Earl of Courtown
I do not think so. My noble friend, with his great experience, informs the House of what happened a number of years ago. I assure him that, as I said earlier, any decisions or requests to sell any of these designated residences would have to go over the desk of my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary.
Lord Wright of Richmond (CB)
My Lords, is the Minister aware that during my time as head of the Diplomatic Service there was a proposal from the Treasury that we should sell the British ambassador’s residence in Tokyo? We were able to persuade the Treasury that this would not be a sensible idea, since it had been a gift from the former Emperor of Japan in exchange for a peppercorn rent.
The Earl of Courtown
As ever, the noble Lord, Lord Wright of Richmond, informs the House with his great knowledge.