Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 February 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 1998. It was answered by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 February 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the situation of former residents of Diego Garcia in Mauritius, and to take steps to enable them to return to Diego Garcia.

Answer: Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the situation of former residents of Diego Garcia in Mauritius; if he will take steps to enable them to return to Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [30794] Mr. Tony Lloyd: Successive British Governments have given generous financial assistance to help with the resettlement of the Ilois in Mauritius. It is possible for the Ilois to apply for contract work at the defence facility on Diego Garcia. But given the absence of infrastructure needed to sustain inhabitation, a wider return by them to the other islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory is not a realistic prospect.

Secondary information