§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral 147W statement by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle), of 9 January 2001, Official Report, column 194WH, what is the timetable of his feasibility study relating to environmental problems of BIOT. [146303]
§ Mr. BattleWe estimate that it will take at least a year to plan, undertake the complete scientific research and report on the work recommended as necessary by the independent consultants who conducted the preliminary study in 2000.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle), of 9 January 2001,Official Report, column 194WH, what analysis he has made of who wants to return from (a) Mauritius and (b) the Seychelles to Diego Garcia and other atolls. [146304]
§ Mr. BattleOur intention is to consult the Ilois during the further phases of the feasibility studies we are undertaking in order to establish how many Ilois, be they based in Mauritius or the Seychelles, may want to return either to visit or to settle in the Territory.