Written question asked by Lord Kempsell (Conservative) on Monday, 9 December 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 December 2024. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Monday, 6 January 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what is its timeline for the agreement and ratification of a treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and whether they still plan to pursue ratification of such a treaty in 2025.

Answer: On 20 December, the UK and Mauritian governments released a joint statement reiterating their commitment to finalising a treaty as quickly as possible. The timetable for treaty ratification has not yet been confirmed. However, following signature, the Treaty will be laid before Parliament in the usual way, consistent with the Constitutional Reform and Governance (CraG) Act 2010. The Government also intends to bring forward a Bill to implement the Treaty in domestic law.

Secondary information