Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 September 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 October 2002. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002 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 the Government's policy is on the claims of Mauritius and the Seychelles to the Chagos Archipelago of British Indian Ocean Territory.

Answer: Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the claims of Mauritius and the Seychelles to the Chagos Archipelago of British Indian Ocean Territory. [74192] Mike O'Brien: The British Government has sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. Mauritius is the only other state to have a claim to sovereignty. The British Government has told the Government of Mauritius that the Chagos Islands will be ceded to Mauritius when they are longer required for defence purposes, subject to the requirements of international law. Seychelles makes no claim to sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 390 c530-1W;390 c529W; 74192
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: British overseas territories British Indian Ocean Territory Mauritius Seychelles
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk