§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive the report on the feasibility study of allowing the Chagos islanders to return; and if he will make a statement. [158650]
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§ Mr. BattleIn accordance with the recommendations for further study in the preliminary report Phase 2A, the procurement and installation of measuring equipment on the islands is now complete and the collection of data has begun. At least six months of data are required before the next phase, 2B, can start. A project manager for Phase 2B has been appointed and terms of reference are currently being drawn up. We hope to have let the tender for this phase within 5–6 months. It is too early to say when the report will be ready but we would expect Phase 2 to take about one year. Phase 3 studies will depend on the findings of Phase 2.