Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK-Mauritius Treaty

Tuesday 21 April 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support has been provided to councils through agreements for British citizenship for Chagossians.
  • The UK-Mauritius treaty was deemed necessary for national security by the Government.
  • Officials regularly engage with Mauritius, the US, and other partners on the Chagos islands issue.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Immigration Foreign Affairs Local Government
Context

The UK is in the process of ratifying a treaty with Mauritius over Diego Garcia. The question arises from concerns about the impact on Chagossians who are fleeing to the UK, placing financial pressure on local authorities like Hillingdon Council.

Question

If she will suspend the process to ratify the UK-Mauritius treaty due to its significant impact on my constituents caring for hundreds of Chagossians coming from Heathrow airport and placing huge financial pressures on local councils.

Answer from Stephen Doughty

I disagree with the premise that Chagossians are fleeing due to Government actions. Support has been provided to councils through agreements for British citizenship. I have worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not explicitly address the cancellation of the treaty or provide certainty about the base's future.

How: Disagreed With Premise

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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Immigration Foreign Affairs Local Government
Context

The UK is negotiating a treaty with Mauritius over Diego Garcia. This has caused concern among local authorities who are dealing with an influx of Chagossian refugees.

Question

Will the Minister undertake to cancel this proposed UK-Mauritius treaty, bring certainty about the future of the base and ensure that my constituents do not continue to bear the consequences of those forced to flee by the Government's actions?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

Chagossians are coming due to previous Government agreements, support is provided to councils through those arrangements. I have worked closely with MHCLG on this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister avoided discussing the cancellation of the treaty or providing certainty about the base's future.

How: Disagreed With Premise

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Q3 Andrew Snowden Con Fylde
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Government announced the abandonment of their Chagos islands surrender Bill, causing confusion among allies and leading to a team being sent to Mauritius.

Question

Can the Minister make it clear that officials have been told unequivocally to tell the Mauritius Government that the deal is dead, no money will be sent to them, and the Chagos islands will remain British?

Answer from Stephen Doughty

I reject the characterization of Government actions. The treaty was needed for national security; our allies welcomed it. Officials regularly engage with Mauritius, US, and other partners regarding this issue.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific communications or intentions with Mauritius officials.

How: Rejected Characterization

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