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Written question asked by Lord Ramsbotham (Crossbench) on Monday, 22 July 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 August 2019. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 July 2019 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


Mauritius: Diplomatic Relations

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government who authorised the cancellation of the High Commissioner to Mauritius' annual party to mark Her Majesty the Queen's official birthday on 4 June; and why that party was cancelled.

Answer

Queen's Birthday Parties are a celebration of Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday. They are an opportunity to celebrate the relationships between the UK and other countries.

Coming so soon after the unjustified and incendiary remarks made about the UK by the Mauritian Prime Minister at the United Nations General Assembly, it would not have been appropriate to have held one this year. A decision to cancel Her Majesty The Queen's Birthday Party was taken at Ministerial level.

We have no doubt about our sovereignty over British Indian Ocean Territory, which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. We have made a long-standing 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

Type
Written question
Reference
HL17362
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Anniversaries Mauritius Diplomatic relations Elizabeth II, Queen
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk