HC Deb 09 January 2003 vol 397 cc302-3W
Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the planned assistance is to elected representatives of the Bois people by the British Indian Ocean Territories administration in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [89383]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

There are no specific plans to assist any representatives of the Chagossian community in the next financial year. However, the BIOT Government has stated that it will consider reinstating the visit to the outer islands of the archipelago of a group of Chagossians which had to be cancelled earlier this year.

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was offered to the group of British Indian Ocean Territories people who arrived in the UK on 16 September travelling on UK passports. [89384]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Although British citizens are not automatically entitled to benefits on arrival in the UK, the UK passport holders within this group were offered assistance from Crawley social services to find accommodation and employment. This help was also provided for their non-British family members.

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