Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 4 July 2025 (named day). It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Friday, 4 July 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether operations conducted by special forces will be subject to the notifications requirements of paragraph 2 of Annex 1 of the UK-Mauritius Treaty.

Answer

As per longstanding Government policy, I can neither confirm nor deny information relating to UK Special Forces.

Annex 1, paragraph 2 of the Chagos Archipelago Treaty, once it has entered into force, will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information and will not require prior notification of any military operation.

Moreover, Article 3(2) of the treaty states that Mauritius cannot undermine, prejudice or otherwise interfere with the long-term, secure and effective operation of the military base on Diego Garcia, and that Mauritius shall cooperate to that end.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
64020
Session
2024-26
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Mauritius Sovereignty Special forces Chagos Islands
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk