Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

British Indian Ocean Territory

07 October 2024 · Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Proposed by David Lammy Lab Tottenham

Foreign Affairs

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

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At a glance

Key points

  • The UK and Mauritius have reached a legally binding agreement regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory.
  • The agreement allows the UK to maintain sovereign rights necessary for the secure operation of the joint military base on Diego Garcia.
  • A Bill will be introduced to implement the Agreement, subject to parliamentary scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act.

Issue summary

The statement addresses an agreement between the UK and Mauritius regarding sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago, securing the military base on Diego Garcia.

Action requested

The government has reached a legally binding agreement with Mauritius that allows the UK to exercise sovereign rights necessary for the secure operation of the joint military base. The treaty will be finalised and a Bill will be brought forward to implement the Agreement, with parliamentary scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act.

Key facts

  • The agreement secures the strategic UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
  • The base's future is legally secure for at least 99 years.
  • Mauritius has sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago but authorises the UK to exercise sovereign rights needed for the base.
  • A new trust fund will be established by the UK to support the welfare of Chagossians.
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