Commons Sense

House of Commons · Urgent Question

British Indian Ocean Territory 2025-04-02

02 April 2025 · 22 other contributors

Opened by Priti Patel Con Witham

Foreign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Priti Patel raised concerns about british indian ocean territory 2025-04-02 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory and the financial implications of negotiations with Mauritius.
  • The Minister confirmed the commitment to conclude a deal that protects the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
  • The Government plans to bring forward a Bill for Parliament to scrutinise and ratify the treaty after its finalisation and signature.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Priti Patel Con Witham

Will the Minister confirm the status of the negotiations concerning the future sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including the financial implications and safeguards for the military base on Diego Garcia?

Other contributors (22)
  • Priti Patel Con Witham

    Question

    How many billions will taxpayers be expected to pay for leasing back territory we already own? What safeguards are in place to protect the military base from other states establishing a foothold on the archipelago?

    Minister reply

    We will not scrimp on our security. The deal includes full UK control over Diego Garcia, including control of the electromagnetic spectrum and a buffer zone around Diego Garcia where nothing can be built or put in place without consent.

  • Blair McDougall Lab East Renfrewshire

    Question

    Can you confirm that under the agreement, the vital US-UK military base and its operations will remain completely unaltered?

    Minister reply

    The deal is rooted in a rational determination to protect UK security and that of our allies. It will protect the base on Diego Garcia which was under threat and cement the presence of the UK and the US in the Indo-Pacific.

  • Helen Maguire LD Epsom and Ewell

    Question

    Will the treaty come before the House for scrutiny, especially given its importance to our national security? Are there any plans to ensure that the Chagossians are included in discussions at this eleventh hour of negotiations?

    Minister reply

    The treaty must come before the House for scrutiny; we deeply regret how Chagossians were removed from the islands but have worked hard to reflect their importance. The largest Chagossian group has welcomed the agreement.

  • Alex Ballinger Lab Halesowen

    Question

    Will the confirmation of legal status strengthen our influence in Asia-Pacific and put us in a strong position to counter China's influence?

    Minister reply

    Absolutely, securing this agreement strengthens our national security and that of our allies by protecting a vital base from significant threats.

  • Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green

    Question

    How much will taxpayers pay for the settlement, and out of which budget will it come? Can you guarantee that at no stage will it come from the defence budget increase?

    Minister reply

    The terms of the treaty and funding arrangements are still being finalised. Financial obligations, including departmental responsibilities, will be managed responsibly within the Government’s fiscal framework.

  • Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire

    Question

    Given that the United States is increasing its presence on Diego Garcia, how much will the Trump White House contribute to the endowment proposed for Mauritius?

    Minister reply

    The full details of costs and arrangements will be presented when we present the treaty. The US recognises the strength of this deal which protects our security in the Indo-Pacific.

  • Louise Jones Lab North East Derbyshire

    Question

    Will robust security provisions be put in place to secure the base?

    Minister reply

    I can assure you that full control over Diego Garcia will remain with the UK and US, including unrestricted access, a buffer zone around Diego Garcia, comprehensive mechanism to prevent activity on other islands from threatening operations, and ban on foreign security forces.

  • Al Pinkerton LD Surrey Heath

    Question

    What efforts has the Minister made to engage with Chagossians regarding their right to self-determination?

    Minister reply

    The islands are not permanently inhabited. The Government is engaging with various groups, including those supporting the deal and others with different opinions.

  • Calvin Bailey Lab Leyton and Wanstead

    Question

    Does my hon. Friend agree that Opposition attempts to sow division between UK and its allies are damaging our national interests?

    Minister reply

    Speculation has been unhelpful, but close co-operation with the US Administration helped make progress on this deal.

  • Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire

    Question

    Would the Minister cede control if a similar judgment is sought against the Falklands as in Chagos?

    Minister reply

    Such attempts to make false comparisons are unhelpful. Our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Falkland Islands is absolute.

  • Amanda Martin Lab Portsmouth North

    Question

    Will any agreement made return to this House for scrutiny?

    Minister reply

    There will be multiple opportunities for both Houses to consider the matter, through the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act process and a Bill brought forward to make necessary provisions under the treaty.

  • Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness

    Question

    Has the Government asked the US to contribute to the base on Diego Garcia, which is vital for them?

    Minister reply

    The full details will be provided when the treaty is presented to the House.

  • Sam Rushworth Lab Bishop Auckland

    Question

    Will this agreement close potentially dangerous routes for irregular migration and was that one of the reasons for negotiations?

    Minister reply

    The interim arrangement with St Helena has been important, but our primary objective is to protect national security.

  • Andrew George LD St Ives

    Question

    Can you confirm that conversations have been held with the US about their understanding of a compensatory package and who will contribute?

    Minister reply

    The full details will be provided in due course, but the United States recognises the strength of this deal.

  • Joe Robertson Con Isle of Wight East

    Question

    Why is the money being handed over to Mauritius instead of being spent on restoring winter fuel payments and relieving social care providers?

    Minister reply

    We will not scrimp on national security, which is crucial for UK and US interests.

  • Neil Shastri-Hurst Con Solihull West and Shirley

    Question

    Can you provide specific guarantees that the Foreign Secretary has secured in relation to preventing hostile states like China from increasing their influence?

    Minister reply

    There will be robust security provisions including full UK control over Diego Garcia, buffer zone around Diego Garcia, and prohibition on foreign security forces on outer islands.

  • Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham

    Question

    Why is the Government giving away national security and paying billions to Mauritius?

    Minister reply

    We are standing up for Britain by securing the operation of this base, which is crucial to our interest and that of our allies.

  • Jack Rankin Con Windsor

    Question

    Critiques the deal as a surrender of sovereign territory based on a non-binding legal judgment, questioning if this exemplifies a Government for lawyers rather than British people.

    Minister reply

    I reject the premise that the government negotiated simply due to the ICJ opinion. The situation inherited was complex and required multiple considerations beyond just the legal advice.

  • Ben Obese-Jecty Con Huntingdon

    Question

    Asks for clarification on control over Diego Garcia in scenarios where US and UK defence priorities diverge, referencing previous statements from the Minister.

    Minister reply

    We will have full control over Diego Garcia. The operational details of US naval support facility will be provided without compromising security.

  • David Reed Con Exmouth and Exeter East

    Question

    Asks if the deal will come from the Ministry of Defence, given the presence of both foreign and defence ministers.

    Minister reply

    The Foreign Office and the MoD work closely on this matter. The treaty terms and funding arrangements are being finalised responsibly within the fiscal framework.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    Raises concerns about public understanding of the financial implications, especially with pensioners questioning why funds are allocated for this deal instead of supporting them.

    Minister reply

    The financial element was crucial to protect operations and ensure security. The figures quoted in media may be inaccurate; investment is essential for our security.

Government Response

Stephen Doughty

I thank the right hon. Lady for her question. As we and Mauritius have repeatedly said, both sides remain committed to concluding a deal that protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia. We are now working with Mauritius to finalise the agreement. Following signature, the Government will bring forward a Bill to enable implementation of the treaty, and Parliament will scrutinise it before ratification. The Government inherited a situation in which the future of the military base was under threat; this deal protects UK security and that of our allies for generations.

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