Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

British Indian Ocean Territory

Tuesday 13 December 2022 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Negotiations on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory have begun between the UK and Mauritius.
  • The UK Government will take into account the views of the Chagossian community in Mauritius, the UK, and the Seychelles during consultations.
  • The UK has expressed regret over the removal of the Chagossians in the late 1960s and 1970s and is working constructively with Mauritius.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Henry Smith Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question follows recent discussions and a need for clarity on progress.

Question

What recent progress has been made on negotiations on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory?

Answer from James Cleverly

I can confirm that negotiations have begun. Officials from the UK and Mauritius met at the end of last month and had constructive discussions. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK-US defence facility on Diego Garcia, and we will be meeting again to continue negotiations shortly.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Henry Smith Con
Context

There is a need to engage with the affected communities before any changes are made.

Question

What consultations are being held with members of the Chagossian community in my constituency and around the UK ahead of any proposed changes to the British Indian Ocean Territory?

Answer from James Cleverly

I recognise my hon. Friend's championing of the Chagossian community in his constituency. He will recognise that there is a diversity of views in the various Chagossian communities in Mauritius, the UK and the Seychelles. We will of course take those views seriously, but the negotiations are between the UK and Mauritius. We will ensure that we continue to engage with those communities through this negotiating process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific details on consultations being held

How: Taking Views Seriously, Diversity Of Views

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Patrick Grady SNP
Foreign Affairs
Context

The International Court of Justice has made a ruling on the decolonisation process and its implications.

Question

Do the UK Government now accept the finding of the International Court of Justice that the process of the decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed in 1968 and that the UK's continued administration of the Chagos archipelago constitutes a wrongful act?

Answer from James Cleverly

The UK has expressed regret about the manner in which the Chagossians were removed in the late 1960s and the 1970s, but we are working constructively with the Mauritius Government and, as I say, one of the strong principles that underpins the negotiation is the reiteration that the UK and US defence facility on Diego Garcia will continue.

Not addressed: acceptance of the ICJ findings

How: Expressing Regret, Working Constructively

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email