Chagos Islands Marine Protection 2026-01-20
2026-01-20
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A Yale University report ranked Mauritius last out of 131 states for stringency in relation to its marine protected areas and 173th out of 180 for the protection of biodiversity. Mauritius has admitted it does not have the capacity to patrol the area, and commercial fishing is open.
I thank the Minister for his response. A recent Yale University report ranked Mauritius last out of 131 states for stringency in relation to its marine protected areas, and a woeful 173th out of 180 for the protection of biodiversity. Mauritius has even admitted that it does not have the capacity to patrol the area, and that it is open to commercial fishing. I recognise the response that the Minister gave, but Britain has kept the Chagos marine environment pristine for 50 years. Why do the Government not want to secure that legacy in law?
With the greatest of respect, because I know that the hon. Gentleman raises the issue with sincerity, I was just very clear. It was on 3 November that Mauritius announced the creation of the Chagos archipelago marine protected area, and it has confirmed that no commercial fishing will be allowed in any part of the MPA. We are working very closely with Mauritius on patrolling and protecting the environment. These are important issues, and I assure him that we are absolutely seized of them.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about securing legacy protection in law was not addressed directly
Reminded Of Current Mpa Announcement
Assured Of Ongoing Work With Mauritius
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Labour’s Chagos surrender Bill is expected to cost £35 billion, compromise national security and betray the rights of the Chagossian community. The American President has publicly opposed it.
The Prime Minister said that Five Eyes partners, including the United States, backed the Chagos surrender Bill, but today the American President has publicly opposed it, rightly citing the very concerns that we Conservative Members have raised about the malign influence of China and Russia, and their benefiting directly from the surrender of the Chagos islands. Is President Trump right? Given that Labour’s Chagos surrender Bill will cost £35 billion, compromise our national security and betray the rights of the Chagossian community, when will the Government finally see sense and scrap this shameful treaty?
Again, the right hon. Lady has made wild claims about costs. What she says is simply not the case. We have been absolutely clear that the UK will never compromise our national security. As we have made clear repeatedly, the agreement that we have struck is vital to protecting our national security and that of our allies, and to guaranteeing the long-term future of a base that is crucial for the UK and the United States. Our deal secures the operation of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia for generations.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific ask about scrapping the treaty was not addressed directly
Assertion That Claims Are Wild
Repeated Statements On National Security
Response accuracy