§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place to permit United States military forces to use the air base in Diego Garcia; and what consultations have taken place with the Ilois islanders from Diego Garcia over military use of their islands. [76216]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienHMG have entered into a series of bilateral agreements with the United States which allows the territory to remain available for the defence needs of the two countries for an initial period of 50 years. These agreements also deal with the establishment and functioning of a US defence facility on Diego Garcia. There have been no consultations on the military use of the islands.