18 Jun 2012

Tonga debates whether it should sell luxury house in London

7:24 pm on 18 June 2012

Tongan MPs are still to decide whether to sell a property in London.

The residence of the Tongan High Commissioner to Britain has an estimated value of more than 2 million US dollars.

The late king, George Tupou the 5th, had suggested it be sold but some MPs want to keep the house.

Radio Tonga reports that MPs have been debating the pros and cons of selling the property with the Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano saying it is costly to maintain.

The Noble's representative, Lord Lasike, says the house is very useful to the Tongan community in Europe.

The prime minister says no decision has been made but MPs need to remember the costs that come with such a property.

The government says two offices in America, one in Canberra and one in China, al of which it says are operating efficiently.

It says a new office will be set up in Japan soon.

The High Commission in Wellington was closed last year.