§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement relating to the loan of Diego Garcia to the United States with special reference to the stocking of anti-personnel land mines. [113352]
§ Mr. VazThe 1966 Exchange of Notes between the UK and the USA concerning the availability of the British Indian Ocean Territory for defence purposes provides for the Territory to remain available to meet the defence needs of both Governments, while remaining under UK sovereignty. There are no US APM on Diego Garcia. We understand that the US stores munitions of various kinds on US warships anchored off Diego Garcia. Such vessels enjoy state immunity and are therefore outside the UK's jurisdiction and control. The US understands the importance we attach to their adherence to the Ottawa Convention as soon as possible.