Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Monday, 12 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 16 July 2004. It was answered by Bill Rammell (Labour) on Friday, 16 July 2004 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 meetings he has held with the government of Mauritius concerning its claim for sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territories; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 15 July 2004).

Answer: Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has held with the Government of Mauritius concerning its claim for sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territories; and if he will make a statement. [184367] Mr. Rammell: [holding answer 15 July 2004]: There have been no recent meetings between the two Governments on this issue. However, both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I offered discussion of this issue with Mauritian Prime Minister Paul Berenger during his recent visit to the UK. The British Government do not recognise the claim by Mauritius to sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, we have recognised Mauritius as the only state which has a right to assert a claim of sovereignty when the United Kingdom relinquishes it own sovereignty, and successive British Governments have given undertakings to the Government of Mauritius that the Territory will be ceded when no longer required for defence purposes subject to the requirements of international law.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 184367; 423 c1376W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: British overseas territories British Indian Ocean Territory Mauritius Sovereignty
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk