Written question asked by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 July 2000. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Monday, 24 July 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the position of the former residents of Diego Garcia. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the position of the former residents of Diego Garcia. [132386] Mr. Hain: I am aware that some of the former residents (Ilois) of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) seek a right of return and to this end, proceedings have been brought in the High Court in London which challenge the validity of the BIOT Immigration Ordinance. The matter is still before the Court. The outer islands of the territory have been uninhabited for 30 years so any resettlement would present serious problems both because of the practical feasibility and in relation to our treaty obligations. But a study has been commissioned from independent consultants to consider the former issues in more detail. Most of the Ilois live in Mauritius where they are Mauritian citizens. Since they left the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Her Majesty's Government has given over £4 million to the Government of Mauritius to assist with their integration into Mauritian society.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 354 c423W; 132386
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: British overseas territories British Indian Ocean Territory Mauritius Resettlement Chagossians
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk