Written question asked by Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 22 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2019 (named day). It was answered by Christopher Pincher (Conservative) on Monday, 28 October 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to comply with UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/73/295 of 22 May 2019 which demands that the UK withdraw its colonial administration from the Chagos Archipelago by 22 November 2019.

Answer: We remain disappointed that this matter was referred to the International Court of Justice and the UN General Assembly. We have no doubt about our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the Archipelago and we do not recognise its claim. We have, however, made a longstanding commitment to cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius when it is no longer required for defence purposes. We stand by that commitment.

Secondary information