§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what examination he has192W made of the application of UN General Assembly Resolution No. 1514 to the former residents of Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [30966]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory are British, and have been since 1814 when ceded by France. We do not accept that they were ever an integral part of Mauritius. We do not therefore consider that General Assembly Resolution 1514, which was concerned with the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of a country, has any application to the Territory.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the situation of former residents of Diego Garcia in Mauritius; if he will take steps to enable them to return to Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [30794]
§ Mr. Tony LloydSuccessive British Governments have given generous financial assistance to help with the resettlement of the Ilois in Mauritius. It is possible for the Ilois to apply for contract work at the defence facility on Diego Garcia. But given the absence of infrastructure needed to sustain inhabitation, a wider return by them to the other islands of the British Indian Ocean Territory is not a realistic prospect.