To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 December, Official Report, columns 577-79, if he will make a statement on the function of British high commissions; and what were the costs of the sub-leases for the residences in list B, the date on which they were taken out and the date of expiry. [7058]

The function of British high commissions is to promote UK interests in Commonwealth countries and to provide the full range of diplomatic, commercial and consular services of an overseas post.The details requested for the relevant high commissioners' residences are shown on the list.