§ Lord Gregsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the latest phase of the feasibility study into resettling the outer islands of the Chagos Archipelago will be completed. [HL5161]
§ Baroness AmosWe have now received phase 2B of the consultants' report on whether it would be feasible for the Chagossians to return and live on the outer islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory (the Chagos Archipelago). Copies of the report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. We are also sending copies to the Government of Mauritius and the Chagossians' lawyers in the United Kingdom.
While the report concludes that short-term habitation for limited numbers on a subsistence basis is possible, it also emphasises that any long-term resettlement would be precarious and costly.