HC Deb 30 June 1977 vol 934 c323W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that the law in the British Indian Ocean Territory is that which prevailed in the individual islands before the Order in Council of 8th November 1965, save in so far as it may be modified by laws made under that order, whether the Territory is subordinate in any way to the sovereignty of Seychelles or Mauritius.

Mr. Luard

The provisions of the British Indian Ocean Territory Order 1976—Article 3(2) of which revoked the British Indian Ocean Territory Order 1965 and the British Indian Ocean Territory (Amendment) Order, 1968—relating to the continued operation of laws having effect as part of the law of the territory, do not affect British sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the siting of administrative headquarters of the British Indian Ocean Territories at Victoria. Seychelles in any way means that the Territory is part of the State of the Seychelles.

Mr. Luard

Since the independence of Seychelles on 29th June 1976, the offices of Commissioner and Administrator of the British Indian Ocean Territory have been vested in appropriate officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, certain of whose functions, where appropriate, are exercised through the Royal Navy Liaison Officer in the British Indian Ocean Territory. No part of the British Indian Ocean Territory is part of Seychelles.