Written question asked by Baroness Kennedy of the Shaws (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 June 2011.

Chagos Islands

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what regard they gave to the requirement of judicial impartiality in appointing as Arbitrator in the current Chagos Islanders case a person associated with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and to that person's role in appointing an official who is involved in the case on the side of the British Government.

Answer: I assume the noble Baroness is referring to the arbitration proceedings brought by Mauritius under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, in which Mauritius is challenging the appointment of Sir Christopher Greenwood, a judge of the International Court of Justice, as one of the arbitrators. The challenge is being considered by the tribunal and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment, other than to confirm that the Government have no doubt whatsoever about Sir Christopher's integrity and suitability for this appointment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 10267; 728 c391WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: British Indian Ocean Territory Environment protection Judges Mauritius Seas and oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk