HC Deb 28 July 2000 vol 354 cc1076-7W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the financial arrangements are for the lease to the United States of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. [132427]

Mr. Battle

No part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, including Diego Garcia, has been leased to the United States and no rent or similar payment is made in respect of their right to use the territory for defence purposes. However, in 1965 when it became clear that the costs of setting up the territory as a separate dependency would exceed original estimates, the US Government agreed to contribute £5 million towards these costs.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department is funding a study to assess the feasibility of returning the indigenous population to Diego Garcia and the other Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean. [133271]

Mr. Battle

An initial study to consider the possibility of settlement on the outer islands only of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) has already been undertaken. It was funded by the Government of the BIOT. The funding of future stages is yet to be decided.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Interim report by Consultants on the feasibility of re-settling the northern atolls of the British Indian Ocean Territory. [133456]

Mr. Battle

I can confirm this has been done.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to monitor the environment of the British Indian Ocean Territory on a regular basis following its commitment to treat the area with no less strict regard for natural heritage considerations than for places nominated as World Heritage sites. [133457]

Mr. Battle

The Government of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), who made this commitment, employs a Conservation Consultant who makes annual visits to the territory to assess the state of the environment and report to the Commissioner. The last such visit was in March 2000. The BIOT Government also employs fisheries consultants who likewise assess the state of the fishery. Additionally, it sponsors ad hoc environmental research projects.