Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mauritius Treaty: Chagos Islands

Tuesday 1 April 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial financial liabilities for the Chagos Islands treaty will be scrutinized by Parliament before ratification.
  • A financial element is crucial to protect the UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which is vital for security.
  • Speculation suggests the Government may be willing to pay up to 9 billion over 99 years for the base's protection.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Bedford Con Mid Leicestershire
Defence Taxation Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK and Mauritius have been negotiating a treaty regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos islands, which includes financial implications for the UK taxpayer.

Question

Given that there is no binding legal basis for the ceding of the Chagos islands and that the deal will cost the hard-pressed British taxpayer north of £9 billion, £18 billion or possibly £50 billion a year, will the Secretary of State confirm what total financial liabilities will be brought to the UK and whether they will be funded from the uplift in the defence budget announced in the spring statement?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

A financial element is crucial to protect the operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia, which is vital for our security and that of our allies. Once the treaty is signed, it will be put before Parliament for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way, and this will include costs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm specific financial liabilities or whether these costs would come from an increase in the defence budget.

How: Scrimping On Security, Protecting National Interests

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Q2 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK government is negotiating a deal that involves significant financial costs to protect national security interests.

Question

Politics is about choices, and speculation suggests that the Government may be willing to hand over £9 billion. That money would go a long way as official development assistance, so does the Minister regret that choice?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

A financial element is crucial over 99 years to protect the operation of a vital base. If we do not pay for our security, someone else might attempt to interfere with it. That is why we have worked closely with Mauritius, the United States and other allies and partners, including India, to protect our interests on Diego Garcia.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether the government regrets allocating funds for national security over development assistance.

How: Protecting Security, Working Closely With Allies

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