§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ibis people had UK passports issued to them under the terms of the Immigration and Nationality Act 1971: and how many were issued in(a) Mauritius, (b) the Seychelles, (c) London and (d) other places. [74657]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe current legislation under which passports are issued is the British Nationality Act 1981, as amended by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002.
The number of British passports issued to Chagossians in Mauritius and the Seychelles is 98 and 63 respectively. An additional 80 passports have been issued in Pretoria. Details of ethnic origin would not be recorded for British passports issued elsewhere and therefore numbers are unavailable.
§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are being considered by BIOT officials for the Ibis people to visit the Chagos Islands, including Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [74655]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienA planned trip in October 02 to enable a group of Chagossians to visit the outer islands of the Chagos Archipelago could not go ahead due to the withdrawal of the vessel by the shipping company. We are ready to consider reinstating the voyage next year once the cyclone season (Nov—April) is over.
§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what applications he has received from the USA to construct new aircraft hangars on Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [74654]
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§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe issue of possible upgrades to facilities at Diego Garcia has been discussed at annual talks between the UK and US governments. The details of these governmental talks are confidential and exempt under section la of The Code of practice on Access to Government Information, "Information whose disclosure would harm national security or defence".
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what the Government's policy is on the future status of the British Indian Ocean Territory; [74191]
(2) what options are being considered by the Government after the expiration of the agreement granting the United States joint military use of Diego Garcia. [74193]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe British Government has a treaty commitment to allow the US to use BLOT until at least 2016, and then for a further 20 years unless prior notice is given. We have told the Government of Mauritius that the Chagos Islands will be ceded to Mauritius when they are no longer required for defence purposes, subject to the requirements of international law.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the claims of Mauritius and the Seychelles to the Chagos Archipelago of British Indian Ocean Territory. [74192]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe British Government has sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. Mauritius is the only other state to have a claim to sovereignty. The British Government has told the Government of Mauritius that the Chagos Islands will be ceded to Mauritius when they are longer required for defence purposes, subject to the requirements of international law. Seychelles makes no claim to sovereignty over the Chagos Islands.