Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

UK-Mauritius Treaty 2025-02-25

2025-02-25

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Gagan Mohindra Con
South West Hertfordshire
▸ Context
The Conservative MP questions the potential security implications of giving away vital strategic territory to Mauritius.
The Labour party’s determination to give away vital strategic territory in the Chagos islands, seemingly to satisfy one of the Prime Minister’s lawyer friends over our American allies, is baffling to my colleagues on the Conservative Benches. Does the Minister agree that it is far more important to maintain our special relationship with the US and the new Trump Administration than to pay billions of pounds in the face of the self-inflicted, worsening domestic economic situation, in order to give the Chinese Government access to that vital region?
Stephen Doughty
There are so many things in the hon. Gentleman’s question that I disagree with that I do not know quite where to start. We are not giving away the base on Diego Garcia—the deal secures that base. If there was not a problem with its operation and its future, why did his Government start negotiations on it?
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The questioner's claim about prioritizing US relations over Chinese access.
Disagreement Challenge To The Questioner
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Q2 Direct Answer
Lee Anderson Reform
Ashfield
▸ Context
The Reform Party member asks about safeguards in the deal to prevent Chinese installations on Diego Garcia.
The Minister will be aware that the Chinese have a smart city situated in Mauritius, so what safeguards are in the deal to prevent Chinese installations on Diego Garcia that could compromise our western naval security?
Stephen Doughty
We are absolutely clear that we will retain full control over Diego Garcia, and will have robust provisions to keep adversaries out. There will be unrestricted access to and use of the base for the UK and the US, a buffer zone around Diego Garcia, a comprehensive mechanism to ensure that no activity in the outer islands threatens base operations and a ban on the presence of any foreign security forces.
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