British Indian Ocean Territory

HL Deb 19 July 2000 vol 615 cc94-5WA

Lord Dubs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their current policy towards the British Indian Ocean Territory. [HL3411]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The territory's immigration laws and policy are currently the subject of an action in the High Court. We are aware that some of the Ilois community have expressed an interest in returning to settle on the outer islands of the archipelago. We have been studying the feasibility of settlement on the outer islands, which have been uninhabited for 30 years, and the potential environmental impact. This work is not complete and we will continue it.

Recently we have sponsored a group of Ilois to visit the outer islands to see conditions there for themselves.

We shall maintain our sovereignty over the BIOT as for as long as our treaty obligations require it. Thereafter, we stand by the undertaking we have made that we would cede sovereignty of the territory to Mauritius.