§ Sir Nigel Fisherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if agreement has been reached between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Mauritius over assistance to the Ibis resettled in Mauritius from the Chagos Archipelago; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Rifkind[pursuant to the reply, 13 July c. 356–57]: The agreement comes into effect as soon as each Government have notified the other that the necessary internal procedures have been completed. We expect to exchange letters with Mauritius, constituting such notification on 20 October. Thereupon an ex gratia payment of £4 million in full and final settlement of all 79W Ilois claims will be made to the Government of Mauritius. Parliamentary approval will be sought in a Supplementary Estimate for the International Subscriptions, Special Payments etc. (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) Vote. Pending that approval, the necessary expenditure will be met by a repayable advance from the Coontingencies Fund.