British Indian Ocean

HC Deb 18 June 2004 vol 422 cc1136-7W

Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations were conducted by his Department before publication of the British Indian Ocean Territory (Immigration) Order 2004 and the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004. [179520]

Mr. Rammell

Before the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 and the British Indian Ocean Territory (Immigration) Order 2004 were submitted to Her Majesty the Queen in Council, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave very careful consideration to all relevant interests and concerns, including the feasibility of the re-settlement of a civilian population in the British Indian Oct an Territory and the likely financial and other commitments which that would entail, and also its impact on the availability and effective use of the territory for defence purposes.