§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total cost to date of support for the Chagos islanders in Mauritius since their transfer from their homes. [139979]
§ Mr. BattleHMG has made available £4.65 million for the benefit of the Chagos islanders in Mauritius via the Government of Mauritius, £650,000 in 1973 and £4 million in 1982. In addition, various small welfare payments in kind, eg books, sports clothes, sewing machines, have been given regularly.
We have no information about the support given by the Government of Mauritius.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost to date of defending legal action brought by the Chagos islanders will be; and what the total costs awarded against the Crown by the High Court are. [139970]
§ Mr. BattleThe total costs incurred to date by the Government in the recent judicial review proceedings amount to £143,800 plus VAT. The extent of the applicant's costs is so far unknown since these have yet to be assessed.