Written question asked by Roger Gale (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 June 2007. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Monday, 25 June 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Ilois: Resettlement

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2007, Official Report, column 238W, on Ilois: resettlement, whether she plans to petition the House of Lords for leave to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal on 23 May; and if she will make it her policy to abide by that decision.

Answer: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is considering the 23 May judgment of the Court of Appeal carefully and has in this regard asked officials for further advice. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reserves the right to petition the House of Lords to grant permission to appeal, as she is entitled to do within one month. If she opts to petition the House of Lords and is granted leave to appeal, she would be bound by the decision handed down by the House of Lords as the final court of appeal, but this could not fetter other measures by the Government to address the decision.The Government’s policy in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory therefore remains the subject of possible further legal proceedings and it would be inappropriate to comment further.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 145088; 462 c201W
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Ilois: Resettlement
Monday, 4 June 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Chagossians Resettlement
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk