Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Thursday, 31 October 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2024. It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 November 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Asylum

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many asylum seekers in the British Indian Ocean Territory have received medical treatment in the last three years; in what countries that treatment was provided; and at what cost.

Answer: The FCDO provides funding to the BIOT Administration for the good governance of the Territory, which includes the costs of supporting the migrants there, whose welfare and safety is paramount, as well as their rights to patient confidentiality. They have access to 24/7 medical care from a team of doctors, paramedics, registered nurses and mental health practitioners, contracted by the BIOT Administration. Where treatment cannot be provided in the BIOT, urgent medical transfers organised or specialists can be brought to the island. Given the broad range of medical services provided in a number of different locations over a three-year period, the detailed information requested cannot be provided except at a disproportionate cost.

Secondary information