HC Deb 07 September 2004 vol 424 cc1059-60W
Tom Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent(a) discussions have taken place with and (b) representations have been received from the US military on the resettlement of the Chagos Islands and Diego Garcia. [183929]

Mr. Rammell

The US authorities have from time-to-time made clear their concerns about the possible restoration of a settled civilian population in the British Indian Ocean Territory. However, the only formal representation from US authorities on this subject was in June 2000.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether detainees are currently held on Diego Garcia; and if he will make a statement. [183528]

Mr. Rammell

The US authorities have repeatedly assured us that no suspected terrorists or Iraqi prisoners are, or ever have been, held on Diego Garcia or on vessels within its waters. The British Representative on the island has confirmed this to be the case.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the International Criminal Court will have jurisdiction over(a) British Indian Ocean Territories and (b) Diego Garcia while the later are under lease to the US military; and if he will make a statement. [182543]

Mr. Rammell

The Order in Council to extend the United Kingdom's International Criminal Court Act 2001 to the Overseas Territories, which is a necessary preliminary to the United Kingdom's ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in respect of those territories, will not apply to the British Indian Ocean Territory since that territory has no settled population.