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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any financial payments have been made to Mauritius in relation to the Chagos deal.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any financial payments have been made to Mauritius in relation to the Chagos deal.
The UK has not made any payments to Mauritius in relation to the Chagos deal. No payments will be made until a treaty is ratified and enters into force.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his comments of 23 September 2026 that the Chagos agreement cannot go ahead without United States support, whether any payments have been made to the Government of Mauritius under the Agreement signed on 22 May 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his comments of 23 September 2026 that the Chagos agreement cannot go ahead without United States support, whether any payments have been made to the Government of Mauritius under the Agreement signed on 22 May 2025.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the statement by the Prime Minister of Mauritius that Mauritius is prepared to take legal action unless the deadlock over the Chagos agreement is resolved.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the statement by the Prime Minister of Mauritius that Mauritius is prepared to take legal action unless the deadlock over the Chagos agreement is resolved.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which representatives from the Government met with the Mauritian Prime Minister during his most recent visit to the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which representatives from the Government met with the Mauritian Prime Minister during his most recent visit to the UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, by when will he commence his review of the current deal to handover sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, by when will he commence his review of the current deal to handover sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.
The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have both been clear that the deal cannot go ahead without US support. We need to find a resolution, and we will work with both the US and Mauritius to find one. We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Prime Minister has taken in respect of his commitment to working with Mauritius and the United States on a way forward that secures the operation of the base at Diego Garcia.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Prime Minister has taken in respect of his commitment to working with Mauritius and the United States on a way forward that secures the operation of the base at Diego Garcia.
The United Kingdom Government continues to engage with the US and Mauritius on issues related to the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty. We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 28039 answered on 15 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty and the Statement of the Prime Minister on 22 September 2026, if [a] he, [b] his ministers and [c] his officials will raise the issue...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 28039 answered on 15 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty and the Statement of the Prime Minister on 22 September 2026, if [a] he, [b] his ministers and [c] his officials will raise the issue...
I refer the Hon Member to my answer to question 26637 of 2 September 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date the Prime Minister of Mauritius will visit the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date the Prime Minister of Mauritius will visit the United Kingdom.
We are not currently aware of any upcoming plans for Prime Minister Ramgoolam to visit the United Kingdom.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any foreign agreements have been agreed with Mauritius, other than the Chagos Treaty, since July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any foreign agreements have been agreed with Mauritius, other than the Chagos Treaty, since July 2024.
The UK has not agreed any legally-binding Agreements with Mauritius since July 2024, aside from the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. However, the UK and Mauritius have agreed various non-binding Memorandums of Understanding. For example, in May 2025, the UK and Mauritius established a Strategic Partnership Framework with a particular focus on boosting mutual economic growth and trade, strengthening the international rules-based system, reinforcing maritime security, and tackling climate change. In July 2026, the UK launched the Enhanced Strategic Trade Partnership, a significant milestone that strengthens our cooperation with Mauritius in trade, investment, innovation, education, financial services, healthcare and both green and blue economies.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2026, to Question 28802, on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, whether the change to the social time preference rate has increased the forecast cost of the Treaty over the 99 year period.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2026, to Question 28802, on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, whether the change to the social time preference rate has increased the forecast cost of the Treaty over the 99 year period.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult the Chagossian community as part of the recently announced review of the UK-Mauritius agreement in respect of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to consult the Chagossian community as part of the recently announced review of the UK-Mauritius agreement in respect of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any British citizens have been directly impacted by the current civil unrest in Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any British citizens have been directly impacted by the current civil unrest in Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government how they are protecting Chagossians in light of the civil unrest in Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government how they are protecting Chagossians in light of the civil unrest in Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government which Chagossian contact groups they are consulting for support and liaison as a result of the civil unrest in Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government which Chagossian contact groups they are consulting for support and liaison as a result of the civil unrest in Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government what additional support is being given to the Home Office by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in processing asylum claims by Chagossians fleeing Mauritius as a result of the current civil unrest.
To ask His Majesty's Government what additional support is being given to the Home Office by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in processing asylum claims by Chagossians fleeing Mauritius as a result of the current civil unrest.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the costs of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory were accounted for in the Defence Investment Plan.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the costs of the agreement with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory were accounted for in the Defence Investment Plan.
Discussions regarding the Chagos treaty are ongoing and any future decisions will be managed as part of the Department's usual financial planning processes.
This briefing revisits the main international legal issues leading to the 2025 UK-Mauritius agreement on sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.
This briefing revisits the main international legal issues leading to the 2025 UK-Mauritius agreement on sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the response by the government of Mauritius to the MV Wakashio oil spill of 2020; and what records they hold of any assessment of this matter conducted in connection with negotiations over the future of the British Indian Ocean...
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the response by the government of Mauritius to the MV Wakashio oil spill of 2020; and what records they hold of any assessment of this matter conducted in connection with negotiations over the future of the British Indian Ocean...
Following the MV Wakashio oil spill, Mauritius undertook a review of its National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, drawing on lessons identified from the incident. The review was supported by international partners, including the UNDP and technical experts, and was intended to strengthen national preparedness and response arrangements for future oil-spill incidents. This was one of a range of factors considered by the Government in connection to the future environmental protection of the British Indian Ocean Territory during negotiations with Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the capacity and track record of the Government of Mauritius to manage marine protected areas, as part of the preparation, development and due diligence of the negotiations over the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the capacity and track record of the Government of Mauritius to manage marine protected areas, as part of the preparation, development and due diligence of the negotiations over the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The Government considered a range of factors relevant to the future environmental and marine protection of the British Indian Ocean Territory during negotiations with Mauritius. Mauritius committed to ensure the marine environment would be effectively protected under a future Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area (MPA). Under the terms of the Agreement, the UK agreed it would support Mauritius in the establishment and management of any future MPA.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether discussions are ongoing with the government of Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether discussions are ongoing with the government of Mauritius over the future of the Chagos Islands.
The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on issues related to the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty. We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the the potential impact of the change in the social time discount rate announced on 7 September 2026 to the total cost of the Chagos deal over the 99 year period.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the the potential impact of the change in the social time discount rate announced on 7 September 2026 to the total cost of the Chagos deal over the 99 year period.
The value of payments under the UK-Mauritius Agreement were set out by the UK government at the time of signature and have not changed. What has changed is the Social Time Preference Rate applied in the calculation of the forecast net present value, which applies to all long-term government investments of this nature. The forecast real value of payments under the treaty remains £101 million per annum in today's money.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 8 January 2026 to Question 101383, on Government Actuary's Department: Freedom of Information, if he will ask the Government Actuary's Department to update the Chagos calculation chart further to the change in...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 8 January 2026 to Question 101383, on Government Actuary's Department: Freedom of Information, if he will ask the Government Actuary's Department to update the Chagos calculation chart further to the change in...
The value of payments under the UK-Mauritius Agreement were set out by the UK government at the time of signature and have not changed. What has changed is the Social Time Preference Rate applied in the calculation of the forecast net present value, which applies to all long-term government investments of this nature. The chart was produced to calculate the forecast costs of payments under the Treaty at the time of signature. The forecast real value of payments remains £101 million per annum in today's money. There are no plans to ask the Government Actuary's Department to update the chart.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for the UK Government in relation to the Chagos Islands or Mauritius.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for the UK Government in relation to the Chagos Islands or Mauritius.
Inter Mediate have not undertaken any work for the UK Government in relation to the Chagos Islands or Mauritius.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he intends to raise the issue of the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty in discussions with the US Government.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he intends to raise the issue of the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty in discussions with the US Government.
I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 7 September to Question 26637.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what legal advice the Government has received on the compatibility of the proposed UK-Mauritius agreement with the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes concerning the British Indian Ocean Territory.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what legal advice the Government has received on the compatibility of the proposed UK-Mauritius agreement with the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes concerning the British Indian Ocean Territory.
I refer the Hon Member to the debate on 26 January 2026 in which the former Minister for the Overseas Territories told the House that the 1966 UK-US Exchange of Notes would need to be updated before the UK-Mauritius Agreement could be ratified.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he, (b) his ministers and (c) his officials have had discussions and meetings with his counterpart in Mauritius to discuss the Chagos Archipelago since 20 July 2026; and whether any discussions and meetings are planned for...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) he, (b) his ministers and (c) his officials have had discussions and meetings with his counterpart in Mauritius to discuss the Chagos Archipelago since 20 July 2026; and whether any discussions and meetings are planned for...
The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on issues related to the UK/ Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia. We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 26637 answered on 7 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty, whether he intends to raise the issue of the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty in further discussions with the US Government.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 26637 answered on 7 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty, whether he intends to raise the issue of the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty in further discussions with the US Government.
I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 7 September to Question 26637.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government continues to use £3.4 billion as its headline estimate of the cost of the Chagos agreement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government continues to use £3.4 billion as its headline estimate of the cost of the Chagos agreement.
The value of payments under the UK-Mauritius Agreement were set out by the UK government at the time of signature and have not changed. No payments are due under the terms of the UK-Mauritius Agreement until it has been ratified. Full details of the proposed payments have already been published in the Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the Treaty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 26637 answered on 7 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty, what assessment has he made about the US Government's position towards the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 26637 answered on 7 September 2026 about Chagos Islands Sovereignty, what assessment has he made about the US Government's position towards the UK Government's costs arising from the Chagos Treaty.
I refer the Honourable Member to my answer of 7 September to Question 26637.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the changes to the Green Book social time discounting rate to 3% announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to revise the estimate of the net present value of the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the changes to the Green Book social time discounting rate to 3% announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to revise the estimate of the net present value of the...
The value of payments under the UK-Mauritius Treaty were set out by the UK government at the time of signature and have not changed. No payments are due under the terms of the UK-Mauritius agreement until the Treaty has been ratified. Full details of the proposed payments have already been published in the Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the Treaty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date his Department met with the Government of Mauritius to discuss the Chagos Islands deal in a) July, b) August and c) September 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date his Department met with the Government of Mauritius to discuss the Chagos Islands deal in a) July, b) August and c) September 2026.
The UK Government continues to engage with Mauritius on issues related to the UK-Mauritius Chagos Treaty. We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Conflict Resolution Department (CRD) Conflict Resolution Programme, IATI Identifier: GB-GOV-1-400035, whether Inter Mediate has been commissioned by HM Government to undertake any work in or relating to (a) the Chagos Islands, (b) Mauritius or (c)...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Conflict Resolution Department (CRD) Conflict Resolution Programme, IATI Identifier: GB-GOV-1-400035, whether Inter Mediate has been commissioned by HM Government to undertake any work in or relating to (a) the Chagos Islands, (b) Mauritius or (c)...
For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister will meet representatives of the Mauritius Government to discuss the Chagos Islands treaty at the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister will meet representatives of the Mauritius Government to discuss the Chagos Islands treaty at the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September 2026.
We will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK's best interests and protects our national security. The Prime Minister's engagements at UNGA will be announced the usual way.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer on 16 June 2025 to question 60001, if he will provide an itemised list of every visit and meeting with Chagossian groups.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer on 16 June 2025 to question 60001, if he will provide an itemised list of every visit and meeting with Chagossian groups.
The UK Government has engaged regularly with the Chagossian community since treaty negotiations began and continues to do so both at official and Ministerial level. This includes through the Chagossian Contact Group, which was established under this government, alongside meetings with a range of Chagossian groups and representatives. An itemised list of every visit and meeting could only be produced at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the comments made by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, during Departmental Questions on 1 September 2026, how much of the funding for the UK- Mauritius Treaty on the Chagos Archipelago will...
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the comments made by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, during Departmental Questions on 1 September 2026, how much of the funding for the UK- Mauritius Treaty on the Chagos Archipelago will...
The joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia is crucial to the security of the UK and our key allies, and to keeping the British people safe. Maintaining long-term operational control of Diego Garcia is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius Agreement on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This is the best way to ensure that the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia remains secure and to protect its operations from legal challenge.
The UK continues to engage closely with the United States and Mauritius on the way forward for the UK-Mauritius Agreement.
Discussions regarding the Chagos treaty are ongoing and any future decisions will be managed as part of the Department's usual financial planning processes.
Whether his Department has budgeted for future spending on the UK-Mauritius Treaty on the Chagos Archipelago.
Whether his Department has budgeted for future spending on the UK-Mauritius Treaty on the Chagos Archipelago.
This Government inherited a situation from the previous Conservative Government where UK control over the vital UK-US military base in Diego Garcia was under threat. This is about the long-term safety and national security of the United Kingdom and the British people. Maintaining the long-term operational control and security of the base remains a top priority; that is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius agreement. A financial element was a crucial part of that deal.
This Government inherited a situation from the previous Conservative Government where UK control over the vital UK-US military base in Diego Garcia was under threat. This is about the long-term safety and national security of the United Kingdom and the British people. Maintaining the long-term operational control and security of the base remains a top priority; that is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius agreement. A financial element was a crucial part of that deal.
This Government inherited a situation from the previous Conservative Government where UK control over the vital UK-US military base in Diego Garcia was under threat. This is about the long-term safety and national security of the United Kingdom and the British people. Maintaining the long-term operational control and security of the base remains a top priority; that is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius agreement. A financial element was a crucial part of that deal.
Whether his Department has budgeted for future spending on the UK-Mauritius Treaty on the Chagos Archipelago.
We worked in lockstep with the US in developing and testing the deal to ensure that it meets both UK and US security requirements. I am not going to give a running commentary on this matter. The US Administration have repeatedly supported this agreement, and nothing in this treaty has changed since the US originally gave its endorsement to the deal. We have always been clear that the US Government must be content with the agreement before we proceed in ratifying the treaty, and we will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK’s best interests and protects our national security.
We worked in lockstep with the US in developing and testing the deal to ensure that it meets both UK and US security requirements. I am not going to give a running commentary on this matter. The US Administration have repeatedly supported this agreement, and nothing in this treaty has changed since the US originally gave its endorsement to the deal. We have always been clear that the US Government must be content with the agreement before we proceed in ratifying the treaty, and we will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK’s best interests and protects our national security.
I welcome the new Foreign Secretary and his Ministers to the team, and I convey the apologies of the shadow Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Tom Tugendhat), who is overseas. May I associate Conservative Members with the Government’s condolences following the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet? Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those who are still missing—including British nationals—and the emergency workers undertaking extraordinarily difficult rescue operations.
In April, after the US withdrew its support, Ministers admitted that the Chagos treaty had become:
“impossible to agree at political level”.
However, the Government now say that they are again trying to push the deal forward with Washington. What has changed? I will give the Government another change to answer the question. Has the US agreed to amend the 1966 UK-US agreement governing Diego Garcia, and why is the Department budgeting for a deal that remains blocked by our closest security ally?
We have heard that line for the last two years. The question that the public want answered, and the one I asked the former Defence Secretary, the right hon. Member for Barnsley North (Dan Jarvis), before the summer, is: where is the case? The former Defence Secretary said that he was looking at the details closely. Six weeks on, can the Minister confirm that the deal is now dead, as it should be?
We have heard that line for the last two years. The question that the public want answered, and the one I asked the former Defence Secretary, the right hon. Member for Barnsley North (Dan Jarvis), before the summer, is: where is the case? The former Defence Secretary said that he was looking at the details closely. Six weeks on, can the Minister confirm that the deal is now dead, as it should be?
The hon. Gentleman asks about the payments, but he knows that this is about the long-term safety and national security of the United Kingdom and the British people. Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the United Kingdom and the United States that has protected our shared security for nearly 60 years. At the time, the Conservative Government held 11 rounds of negotiations with the Mauritians; at the time, they argued that Britain’s defence was best served by having legal certainty over the Chagos islands. Funding for the treaty will be provided within the existing spending review settlements for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence.
The hon. Gentleman asks about the payments, but he knows that this is about the long-term safety and national security of the United Kingdom and the British people. Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the United Kingdom and the United States that has protected our shared security for nearly 60 years. At the time, the Conservative Government held 11 rounds of negotiations with the Mauritians; at the time, they argued that Britain’s defence was best served by having legal certainty over the Chagos islands. Funding for the treaty will be provided within the existing spending review settlements for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence.
The hon. Gentleman asks about the payments, but he knows that this is about the long-term safety and national security of the United Kingdom and the British people. Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the United Kingdom and the United States that has protected our shared security for nearly 60 years. At the time, the Conservative Government held 11 rounds of negotiations with the Mauritians; at the time, they argued that Britain’s defence was best served by having legal certainty over the Chagos islands. Funding for the treaty will be provided within the existing spending review settlements for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Ministry of Defence.
We have heard that line for the last two years. The question that the public want answered, and the one I asked the former Defence Secretary, the right hon. Member for Barnsley North (Dan Jarvis), before the summer, is: where is the case? The former Defence Secretary said that he was looking at the details closely. Six weeks on, can the Minister confirm that the deal is now dead, as it should be?
I begin by welcoming the Foreign Secretary and his new team to their places. In particular, I welcome the Minister; I am cross with her for leaving the Foreign Affairs Committee and we will miss her very much. She was a formidable member of our Committee, and I am proud to see her take such a well-deserved place on the Front Bench.
Now to the work. On the issue of islands that the UK— and now supposedly the United States—takes a great interest in, will the Minister provide an official response to President Trump’s latest nonsense that he might withdraw support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands?
I begin by welcoming the Foreign Secretary and his new team to their places. In particular, I welcome the Minister; I am cross with her for leaving the Foreign Affairs Committee and we will miss her very much. She was a formidable member of our Committee, and I am proud to see her take such a well-deserved place on the Front Bench.
Now to the work. On the issue of islands that the UK— and now supposedly the United States—takes a great interest in, will the Minister provide an official response to President Trump’s latest nonsense that he might withdraw support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands?
I thank the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for her warm words. The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands: they are, and will always remain, a British overseas territory, in line with the wishes of the Falkland Islanders. The UK is steadfast in our support of the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination. While I have seen the comments that the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee referred to, our position remains unchanged.
I thank the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for her warm words. The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands: they are, and will always remain, a British overseas territory, in line with the wishes of the Falkland Islanders. The UK is steadfast in our support of the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination. While I have seen the comments that the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee referred to, our position remains unchanged.
I thank the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee for her warm words. The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands: they are, and will always remain, a British overseas territory, in line with the wishes of the Falkland Islanders. The UK is steadfast in our support of the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination. While I have seen the comments that the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee referred to, our position remains unchanged.
I begin by welcoming the Foreign Secretary and his new team to their places. In particular, I welcome the Minister; I am cross with her for leaving the Foreign Affairs Committee and we will miss her very much. She was a formidable member of our Committee, and I am proud to see her take such a well-deserved place on the Front Bench.
Now to the work. On the issue of islands that the UK— and now supposedly the United States—takes a great interest in, will the Minister provide an official response to President Trump’s latest nonsense that he might withdraw support for UK sovereignty over the Falklands?
I welcome the new Foreign Secretary and his Ministers to the team, and I convey the apologies of the shadow Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Tom Tugendhat), who is overseas. May I associate Conservative Members with the Government’s condolences following the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet? Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those who are still missing—including British nationals—and the emergency workers undertaking extraordinarily difficult rescue operations.
In April, after the US withdrew its support, Ministers admitted that the Chagos treaty had become:
“impossible to agree at political level”.
However, the Government now say that they are again trying to push the deal forward with Washington. What has changed? I will give the Government another change to answer the question. Has the US agreed to amend the 1966 UK-US agreement governing Diego Garcia, and why is the Department budgeting for a deal that remains blocked by our closest security ally?
I welcome the new Foreign Secretary and his Ministers to the team, and I convey the apologies of the shadow Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Tom Tugendhat), who is overseas. May I associate Conservative Members with the Government’s condolences following the devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet? Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, those who are still missing—including British nationals—and the emergency workers undertaking extraordinarily difficult rescue operations.
In April, after the US withdrew its support, Ministers admitted that the Chagos treaty had become:
“impossible to agree at political level”.
However, the Government now say that they are again trying to push the deal forward with Washington. What has changed? I will give the Government another change to answer the question. Has the US agreed to amend the 1966 UK-US agreement governing Diego Garcia, and why is the Department budgeting for a deal that remains blocked by our closest security ally?
We worked in lockstep with the US in developing and testing the deal to ensure that it meets both UK and US security requirements. I am not going to give a running commentary on this matter. The US Administration have repeatedly supported this agreement, and nothing in this treaty has changed since the US originally gave its endorsement to the deal. We have always been clear that the US Government must be content with the agreement before we proceed in ratifying the treaty, and we will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK’s best interests and protects our national security.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been Ministerial level contact between the UK Government and the Mauritian Government since 20 January; and if so, which Ministers and which interlocutors.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there has been Ministerial level contact between the UK Government and the Mauritian Government since 20 January; and if so, which Ministers and which interlocutors.
There has been no Ministerial level contact between the UK Government and the Mauritian Government since 20 January.
All ministerial meetings with external organisations, and relevant Special Adviser meetings, are published in the usual way on gov.uk. Details of ministerial overseas visits are routinely published in each department's quarterly transparency releases
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial and strategic implications of transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial and strategic implications of transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
The Government has set out its assessment on numerous occasions, including in the Explanatory Memorandum that accompanied the Diego Garcia Treaty. Maintaining long-term operational control of the Diego Garcia base is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it remains Government policy to transfer ownership of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether it remains Government policy to transfer ownership of the British Indian Ocean Territory to Mauritius.
I refer the Noble Lord to my previous answer on 30 July to question HL2205.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any new legislation to implement the UK-Mauritius treaty on sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory will be brought forward in this session of Parliament.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any new legislation to implement the UK-Mauritius treaty on sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory will be brought forward in this session of Parliament.
I refer the Noble Baroness to my previous answer on 30 July to question HL2205.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the outcome of the recent discussions on the Chagos Islands deal between the director of the Foreign Office’s overseas territories and polar directorate and the attorney general of Mauritius.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what was the outcome of the recent discussions on the Chagos Islands deal between the director of the Foreign Office’s overseas territories and polar directorate and the attorney general of Mauritius.
As has been the practice under successive governments, records of official-level meetings are not routinely published.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date did Jonathan Powell commence his role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date did Jonathan Powell commence his role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he has received on all the other occasions he has asked variations of the same question over the past five months, including Questions 115117, 117954, 129315, 129318 and 129513.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of the resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
The Treaty which the UK signed with Mauritius in May 2025 provides a clear path to resettlement on the Archipelago. Under the terms of the Treaty, the Government of Mauritius will be able to start a programme of resettlement on islands other than Diego Garcia, which will be available to all eligible Chagossians regardless of where they live.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date is Jonathan Powell’s role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago scheduled to end.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date is Jonathan Powell’s role as Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago scheduled to end.
Mr Powell ceased his role as BIOT envoy when he was appointed to his new role as the National Security Adviser (NSA) on 8 November 2024.
I welcome the new Defence Secretary to Question Time, and simply pose a quick question to him, because we need some clarity about the Chagos deal. Will he confirm that it has been cancelled and that the money—the billions—that was going to Mauritius has now been transferred to defence spending?
I welcome the new Defence Secretary to Question Time, and simply pose a quick question to him, because we need some clarity about the Chagos deal. Will he confirm that it has been cancelled and that the money—the billions—that was going to Mauritius has now been transferred to defence spending?
It is a fair question. I am looking very closely at the detail, and I will discuss it with our American allies.
It is a fair question. I am looking very closely at the detail, and I will discuss it with our American allies.
It is a fair question. I am looking very closely at the detail, and I will discuss it with our American allies.
I welcome the new Defence Secretary to Question Time, and simply pose a quick question to him, because we need some clarity about the Chagos deal. Will he confirm that it has been cancelled and that the money—the billions—that was going to Mauritius has now been transferred to defence spending?
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what financial support she has provided to (a) the Government of Mauritius and (b) projects in Mauritius under the Strategic Partnership Framework Programme in 2025/26 and plans for the next five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what financial support she has provided to (a) the Government of Mauritius and (b) projects in Mauritius under the Strategic Partnership Framework Programme in 2025/26 and plans for the next five years.
There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (121712 and 8533), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 26 March and 16 June respectively.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of Mauritius on the financial contributions that the Government of Mauritius were expecting from the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Government of Mauritius on the financial contributions that the Government of Mauritius were expecting from the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
There has been no change in the position since the previous occasions on which the Rt Hon Member has asked these questions (121712 and 8533), and I therefore refer her back to the most recent answers that she received, on 26 March and 16 June respectively.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what value of resources (a) have been provided since 22 May 2025; and (b) will be provided to Mauritius under the UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework in each of the next five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what value of resources (a) have been provided since 22 May 2025; and (b) will be provided to Mauritius under the UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework in each of the next five years.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the information available on Official Development Assistance-funded programmes, via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) Development Tracker website, and to the upcoming publication of the FCDO's Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26, which will set out programme outturn for that financial year and plans for the period up to the end of 2028/29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much bilateral ODA funding is planned to be provided to Mauritius (a) this year and (b) in each of the next five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much bilateral ODA funding is planned to be provided to Mauritius (a) this year and (b) in each of the next five years.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the information available on Official Development Assistance-funded programmes, via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) Development Tracker website, and to the upcoming publication of the FCDO's Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26, which will set out programme outturn for that financial year and plans for the period up to the end of 2028/29.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2026 to Question 3899 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases, what progress he has made with the United States and with Mauritius on the way forward for the UK-Mauritius Agreement since 13...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2026 to Question 3899 on Diego Garcia: Military Bases, what progress he has made with the United States and with Mauritius on the way forward for the UK-Mauritius Agreement since 13...
I refer the Hon Member to the answer mentioned in his question. Future updates will be provided to the House in the normal way in due course.
To ask His Majesty's Government how much has been spent by (1) the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and (2) other Government departments, on the negotiations with Mauritius relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory, including consequential costs of the agreement not progressing.
To ask His Majesty's Government how much has been spent by (1) the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and (2) other Government departments, on the negotiations with Mauritius relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory, including consequential costs of the agreement not progressing.
No central estimate is held of the cost of the negotiations started, and largely completed, under the previous government, and it would incur a disproportionate amount of time and cost to provide this information.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 during which the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands was raised.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 during which the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands was raised.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 9 February to Question 109314.
Letter dated 12/05/2026 from Lord Coaker to Lords regarding issues discussed during the Oral Statement on the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Chagossian resettlement in the Territory. 2p.
Letter dated 12/05/2026 from Lord Coaker to Lords regarding issues discussed during the Oral Statement on the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill: Chagossian resettlement in the Territory. 2p.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Jonathan Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT; and what security clearance he had upon that appointment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when Jonathan Powell was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the BIOT; and what security clearance he had upon that appointment.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what date did her predecessor a) appoint Jonathan Powell, b) did he commence the role and c) was...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what date did her predecessor a) appoint Jonathan Powell, b) did he commence the role and c) was...
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the news story entitled Jonathan Powell appointed as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, published on 6 September 2024, whether the phrase He will begin his role immediately means that Jonathan Powell’s role as the Prime...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the news story entitled Jonathan Powell appointed as Special Envoy for BIOT negotiations, published on 6 September 2024, whether the phrase He will begin his role immediately means that Jonathan Powell’s role as the Prime...
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 March in response to Question 118787.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what dates her predecessor met with Jonathan Powell prior to appointing him as the Prime Minister's Envoy for...
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2404 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Public Appointments, on what dates her predecessor met with Jonathan Powell prior to appointing him as the Prime Minister's Envoy for...
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was interviewed for the role of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Jonathan Powell was interviewed for the role of the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers provided on 11, 18 and 19 March in response to Questions 117954, 118781 and 119899.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her department has kept records of complaints made by Chagossian asylum seekers fleeing Mauritius and applying for asylum in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her department has kept records of complaints made by Chagossian asylum seekers fleeing Mauritius and applying for asylum in the United Kingdom in the last 10 years.
The Home Office records all complaints received. However, complaints are not routinely categorised or collated by the specific criteria requested, and the information is therefore not held.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials will be visiting Mauritius on 22 April; and what is the purpose of the visit.
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials will be visiting Mauritius on 22 April; and what is the purpose of the visit.
The UK Government keeps in regular contact with our counterparts in Mauritius regarding progress on the implementation of the agreement. We do not intend to provide a running commentary on these conversations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the right of abode for Chagossians on the Chagos Islands, with reference to the judgement of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory on 31 March 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the right of abode for Chagossians on the Chagos Islands, with reference to the judgement of the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory on 31 March 2026.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April and the answer given on 27 April to question HL16223, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to comment at this time.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 118787 on Jonathan Powell, if she will list each meeting that Jonathan Powell had with external organisations, including foreign governments, whilst the Prime Minister's Special Envoy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 118787 on Jonathan Powell, if she will list each meeting that Jonathan Powell had with external organisations, including foreign governments, whilst the Prime Minister's Special Envoy.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer cited in his question.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the investigation by the United Nations of the proposed deal with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the investigation by the United Nations of the proposed deal with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 13 April, and the answers I provided to questions raised in response, except for matters of ongoing litigation, where I am unable to comment at this time.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any goodwill payment or any other costs will be paid to the Mauritian Government as a result of the Diego Garcia Bill not having progressed through Parliament.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether any goodwill payment or any other costs will be paid to the Mauritian Government as a result of the Diego Garcia Bill not having progressed through Parliament.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of asylum claims of Chagossians to the United Kingdom from a) Mauritius and b) the Seychelles since July 2024.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of asylum claims of Chagossians to the United Kingdom from a) Mauritius and b) the Seychelles since July 2024.
The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her department has undertaken polling of the Chagossian people in respect to the 2025 UK/Mauritius Treaty concerning the Chagos Archipelago.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her department has undertaken polling of the Chagossian people in respect to the 2025 UK/Mauritius Treaty concerning the Chagos Archipelago.
Accurate polling of Chagossian communities would be challenging given the geographical spread of individuals with Chagossian heritage across the world as well as difficulties in establishing and confirming eligibility to take part. We continue to engage with Chagossian communities, including through meetings of the Chagossian Contact Group, which enables organisations from the UK, Mauritius, Seychelles and France to set out their views directly to the UK Government.
Let me say that Jonathan Powell is doing an excellent job for this Government. He is respected across the world, and is playing a significant part in dealing with the huge challenges that we face.
Let me say that Jonathan Powell is doing an excellent job for this Government. He is respected across the world, and is playing a significant part in dealing with the huge challenges that we face.
Q4
.
Ben Obese-Jecty (Huntingdon) (Con):
We know that the Prime Minister has been playing fast and loose with ministerial appointments in his chumocracy, so I want to ask him about the first one. [Interruption.] Labour Members’ boos mean nothing to me; I have seen what makes them cheer. Jonathan Powell was appointed the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory on 6 September, but throughout August he held meetings with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials and was given access to classified information, including a minute of a meeting between the Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary, who is sat next to him on the Front Bench. My question is very simple: when was Jonathan Powell appointed the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory, and what security clearance did he have upon that appointment?
Q4
.
Ben Obese-Jecty (Huntingdon) (Con):
We know that the Prime Minister has been playing fast and loose with ministerial appointments in his chumocracy, so I want to ask him about the first one. [Interruption.] Labour Members’ boos mean nothing to me; I have seen what makes them cheer. Jonathan Powell was appointed the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory on 6 September, but throughout August he held meetings with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials and was given access to classified information, including a minute of a meeting between the Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary, who is sat next to him on the Front Bench. My question is very simple: when was Jonathan Powell appointed the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory, and what security clearance did he have upon that appointment?
Q4
.
Ben Obese-Jecty (Huntingdon) (Con):
We know that the Prime Minister has been playing fast and loose with ministerial appointments in his chumocracy, so I want to ask him about the first one. [Interruption.] Labour Members’ boos mean nothing to me; I have seen what makes them cheer. Jonathan Powell was appointed the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory on 6 September, but throughout August he held meetings with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials and was given access to classified information, including a minute of a meeting between the Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary, who is sat next to him on the Front Bench. My question is very simple: when was Jonathan Powell appointed the Prime Minister’s special envoy to the British Indian Ocean Territory, and what security clearance did he have upon that appointment?
Let me say that Jonathan Powell is doing an excellent job for this Government. He is respected across the world, and is playing a significant part in dealing with the huge challenges that we face.
As I have said many times in this House, Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for the United Kingdom, the United States and our allies, and ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority. We remain confident that the UK-Mauritius treaty is the best way to defend the future of the base. We are obviously disappointed with the delay, which I set out the other day, but we will continue to work with the United States and Mauritius on the way forward.
As I have said many times in this House, Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for the United Kingdom, the United States and our allies, and ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority. We remain confident that the UK-Mauritius treaty is the best way to defend the future of the base. We are obviously disappointed with the delay, which I set out the other day, but we will continue to work with the United States and Mauritius on the way forward.
If she will suspend the process to ratify the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
The Chagos islands are even further from my constituency than they are from Mauritius, which is saying something, but this is having a significant local impact. Hillingdon council is now caring for hundreds of Chagossians fleeing to this country through Heathrow airport to escape the consequences of the Government’s proposed deal, which is placing huge financial pressure on my local authority. Will the Minister undertake to cancel this proposed UK-Mauritius treaty, to bring certainty about the future of the base and ensure that my constituents do not continue to bear the consequences of those forced to flee by the Government’s actions?
The Chagos islands are even further from my constituency than they are from Mauritius, which is saying something, but this is having a significant local impact. Hillingdon council is now caring for hundreds of Chagossians fleeing to this country through Heathrow airport to escape the consequences of the Government’s proposed deal, which is placing huge financial pressure on my local authority. Will the Minister undertake to cancel this proposed UK-Mauritius treaty, to bring certainty about the future of the base and ensure that my constituents do not continue to bear the consequences of those forced to flee by the Government’s actions?
I have a lot of respect for the hon. Gentleman, but I simply disagree with the premise of what he says. Chagossians who have been coming to this country have come because of agreements made under the previous Government for them to acquire British citizenship, which entitles them to come here. Support has been provided to councils, and I have worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this issue. If he has any further concerns or requests to make sure, he should do that through the usual channels.
I have a lot of respect for the hon. Gentleman, but I simply disagree with the premise of what he says. Chagossians who have been coming to this country have come because of agreements made under the previous Government for them to acquire British citizenship, which entitles them to come here. Support has been provided to councils, and I have worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this issue. If he has any further concerns or requests to make sure, he should do that through the usual channels.
I have a lot of respect for the hon. Gentleman, but I simply disagree with the premise of what he says. Chagossians who have been coming to this country have come because of agreements made under the previous Government for them to acquire British citizenship, which entitles them to come here. Support has been provided to councils, and I have worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this issue. If he has any further concerns or requests to make sure, he should do that through the usual channels.
The Chagos islands are even further from my constituency than they are from Mauritius, which is saying something, but this is having a significant local impact. Hillingdon council is now caring for hundreds of Chagossians fleeing to this country through Heathrow airport to escape the consequences of the Government’s proposed deal, which is placing huge financial pressure on my local authority. Will the Minister undertake to cancel this proposed UK-Mauritius treaty, to bring certainty about the future of the base and ensure that my constituents do not continue to bear the consequences of those forced to flee by the Government’s actions?
Last week, this feeble Government limped to this House to announce that their shameful Chagos surrender Bill was being ditched—a diplomatic failure entirely owned by this Labour Government. Our friends and allies alike around the world were left bemused by the deal that this Government came up with. This week, the Government have sent a team of officials to Mauritius. Can the Minister make it clear that that team have been told unequivocally to tell the Mauritius Government that the deal is dead, the UK will be sending no money to the Mauritius Government and the Chagos islands will be remaining British?
Last week, this feeble Government limped to this House to announce that their shameful Chagos surrender Bill was being ditched—a diplomatic failure entirely owned by this Labour Government. Our friends and allies alike around the world were left bemused by the deal that this Government came up with. This week, the Government have sent a team of officials to Mauritius. Can the Minister make it clear that that team have been told unequivocally to tell the Mauritius Government that the deal is dead, the UK will be sending no money to the Mauritius Government and the Chagos islands will be remaining British?
With the exception of when I broke my ankle before Christmas, I have never limped to this House on any occasion. I came here with confidence to set out the reasons why this treaty was needed for our national security. Our officials engage regularly not only with Mauritius, but with the United States and other partners. This deal was of course welcomed by our allies, including our Five Eyes partners, so I simply do not accept what the shadow Minister has said.
With the exception of when I broke my ankle before Christmas, I have never limped to this House on any occasion. I came here with confidence to set out the reasons why this treaty was needed for our national security. Our officials engage regularly not only with Mauritius, but with the United States and other partners. This deal was of course welcomed by our allies, including our Five Eyes partners, so I simply do not accept what the shadow Minister has said.
With the exception of when I broke my ankle before Christmas, I have never limped to this House on any occasion. I came here with confidence to set out the reasons why this treaty was needed for our national security. Our officials engage regularly not only with Mauritius, but with the United States and other partners. This deal was of course welcomed by our allies, including our Five Eyes partners, so I simply do not accept what the shadow Minister has said.
Last week, this feeble Government limped to this House to announce that their shameful Chagos surrender Bill was being ditched—a diplomatic failure entirely owned by this Labour Government. Our friends and allies alike around the world were left bemused by the deal that this Government came up with. This week, the Government have sent a team of officials to Mauritius. Can the Minister make it clear that that team have been told unequivocally to tell the Mauritius Government that the deal is dead, the UK will be sending no money to the Mauritius Government and the Chagos islands will be remaining British?
If she will suspend the process to ratify the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
If she will suspend the process to ratify the UK-Mauritius Treaty.
As I have said many times in this House, Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for the United Kingdom, the United States and our allies, and ensuring its long-term operational security is and will continue to be our priority. We remain confident that the UK-Mauritius treaty is the best way to defend the future of the base. We are obviously disappointed with the delay, which I set out the other day, but we will continue to work with the United States and Mauritius on the way forward.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of (a) the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger in Mauritius and (b) his allegations of corruption.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of (a) the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Paul Bérenger in Mauritius and (b) his allegations of corruption.
None of the issues raised by the Rt Hon Member are matters for the UK Government, and none of them have any bearing on the future status of the Diego Garcia base, or the treaty negotiated with Mauritius.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Mauritian counterpart on the arrest of the former Prime Minister of that country in relation to money laundering issues.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Mauritian counterpart on the arrest of the former Prime Minister of that country in relation to money laundering issues.
These legal proceedings are a matter for the Mauritian authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119052 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, on what date did his department last report its NATO spending to NATO, and for what financial year was the report.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 119052 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, on what date did his department last report its NATO spending to NATO, and for what financial year was the report.
In line with NATO's reporting requirements, the UK last provided its defence spending data to NATO in December 2025. These included figures for financial year 2025-26.
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 11 February (HL14050), whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for them in relation to (1) the Chagos Islands, or (2) Mauritius; and whether they have received any representations from Inter Mediate about those two...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Chapman of Darlington on 11 February (HL14050), whether Inter Mediate has undertaken any work for them in relation to (1) the Chagos Islands, or (2) Mauritius; and whether they have received any representations from Inter Mediate about those two...
For over ten years, Inter Mediate and the UK Government have successfully partnered to advance peace efforts around the globe. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) supports a range of civil society and non-governmental organisations through its mediation and conflict resolution programme. Given the sensitive and discreet nature of these efforts, we do not disclose details of the projects supported. This ensures that neither the safety of partners, nor the integrity of ongoing peace efforts are compromised. This is in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FCDO's approach to aid transparency, whereby information is excluded from publication where sharing could pose risks to international relations, compromise the security and safety of partners, prejudice national security, or reveal personal data that could infringe on privacy or breach confidentiality.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the timing of the public commentary by the government of Mauritius on the Iranian missile attack on Diego Garcia.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the timing of the public commentary by the government of Mauritius on the Iranian missile attack on Diego Garcia.
None of the issues raised by the Rt Hon Member are matters for the UK Government, and none of them have any bearing on the future status of the Diego Garcia base, or the treaty negotiated with Mauritius.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the purpose is of the visit to Mauritius by UK officials on 22 April 2026; and what the principal subjects to be discussed are.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the purpose is of the visit to Mauritius by UK officials on 22 April 2026; and what the principal subjects to be discussed are.
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided on 13 February in response to Question 110763.
Lords statement on the Diego Garcia treaty and the associated Bill.
Lords statement on the Diego Garcia treaty and the associated Bill.
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord opposite for the opportunity to ask questions on this Statement. It is indeed a shame that nobody from the Foreign Office was available to turn up and accept
responsibility for the utter shambles of the policy that it has created. This latest U-turn...
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord opposite for the opportunity to ask questions on this Statement. It is indeed a shame that nobody from the Foreign Office was available to turn up and accept
responsibility for the utter shambles of the policy that it has created. This latest U-turn...
My Lords, this has turned into a very sorry affair. I continue to be sorry for the Chagossian community, which sees that the political turmoil and injustice that it has endured over many years has the potential to continue, because the same international legal position remains, not only in relation...
My Lords, this has turned into a very sorry affair. I continue to be sorry for the Chagossian community, which sees that the political turmoil and injustice that it has endured over many years has the potential to continue, because the same international legal position remains, not only in relation...
I thank everyone for their warm welcome and for the opportunity to respond to those questions. It is an important debate. I say to the noble Lords, Lord Callanan and Lord Purvis, and to everybody contributing—many Members on both sides of the House—that it is an important issue.
Let me say...
I thank everyone for their warm welcome and for the opportunity to respond to those questions. It is an important debate. I say to the noble Lords, Lord Callanan and Lord Purvis, and to everybody contributing—many Members on both sides of the House—that it is an important issue.
Let me say...
What about the delegation?
What about the delegation?
The noble Lord and I have sparred across the Dispatch Box, but not as much as I would like, if I am honest about it. I just say to him that Mauritius is a country: every now and again, any country in the world that the UK has relationships with...
The noble Lord and I have sparred across the Dispatch Box, but not as much as I would like, if I am honest about it. I just say to him that Mauritius is a country: every now and again, any country in the world that the UK has relationships with...
My Lords, if anyone was left with any lingering doubt about the naivete of losing sovereignty over this base, recent events have emblazoned that folly for all to see. The noble Lord, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, arguably one of the most respected defence experts in the world and defence...
My Lords, if anyone was left with any lingering doubt about the naivete of losing sovereignty over this base, recent events have emblazoned that folly for all to see. The noble Lord, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, arguably one of the most respected defence experts in the world and defence...
The noble Baroness will know that we are not binning the treaty—I think that was the word she used. We will look to take it forward and discussions will continue; it just will not happen in the current Session, because parliamentary time will not allow it. As I said to...
The noble Baroness will know that we are not binning the treaty—I think that was the word she used. We will look to take it forward and discussions will continue; it just will not happen in the current Session, because parliamentary time will not allow it. As I said to...
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, for his presentation. I have considerable sympathy for the situation that the Government find themselves in, subject to the capricious decisions of the US President. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the State Department, to be...
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Coaker, for his presentation. I have considerable sympathy for the situation that the Government find themselves in, subject to the capricious decisions of the US President. I would love to be a fly on the wall in the State Department, to be...
Let me make one general point. The clash of opinion in this Chamber leads to better policy, done in the way that it is done. I respect challenge from wherever it comes, because that makes for better policy. In that sense, most contributions, even if they are sometimes difficult, are...
Let me make one general point. The clash of opinion in this Chamber leads to better policy, done in the way that it is done. I respect challenge from wherever it comes, because that makes for better policy. In that sense, most contributions, even if they are sometimes difficult, are...