HL Deb 23 February 1998 vol 586 c60WA
Lord Beaumont of Whitley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Foreign Secretary's statement that he is exploring the possibility of granting British citizenship to all the citizens of the overseas territories includes the people of the British Indian Ocean Territory who were moved from Chagos Islands to Mauritius to make way for a United States military base. [HL604]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Foreign Secretary's statement applies to all British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTCs). In considering this matter further, the Government will take account of the unique circumstances of BDTCs from the British Indian Ocean Territory.