British Indian Ocean Territory (Hansard, 23 July 2004)

HC Deb 23 July 2004 vol 424 c679W 679W

§ Tom Brake
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rights Government officials have to visit Diego Garcia(a) unannounced and (b) announced under the terms of the lease granted to the US Administration for the use of Diego Garcia. [183932]

§ Mr. Rammell
Under the 1976 United Kingdom/ United States Exchange of Notes concerning the US Defence Facility on Diego Garcia, access to Diego Garcia is in general restricted to members of the Forces of the United Kingdom and of the United States, the Commissioner and public officers in the service of the British Indian Ocean Territory, representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom and of the United States and, subject to normal immigration requirements, contractor personnel.