HL Deb 27 October 1982 vol 435 cc597-8WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they agree with the report of the Minority Rights Group that this country violated Articles 9 and 13 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights in deporting some 2,000 British subjects from Diego Garcia in "an act of mass kidnapping" and will they compare this with their actions over the Falklands and extend to the Diego Garcians (the Ilois) some of the consideration given to the Falklanders.

Lord Skelmersdale

The answer to the first point raised is, no. On the second, the noble Lord will be aware, from the report to which he refers, that successive British Governments in agreement with the Government of Mauritius have made payments to that Government for the settlement in Mauritius of the Ilois. The agreement signed on 7th July 1982 enjoyed the full support of the Ilois community. It will be brought into effect within the next few days.