§ 85. Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary for Defence what negotiations there have been with the Mauritius Government and the Seychelles authorities for the purchase of privately-owned islands in the Indian Ocean; what price Great Britain has agreed to pay for the purchase of such islands; and what are the terms of contract of sale between the present owners and Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. HealeyNegotiations for the purcsase of certain islands in the British Indian Ocean Territory (Desroches, Farquhar, and islands of the Chagos Archipelago) took place direct with the owners. We have acquired the freeholds outright, at agreed prices totalling£1,013,200.