Found: 2026 Dear Emily, Thank you for your 27 May letter regarding the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to reintroduce the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill within this session of Parliament.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US, which has protected our shared security for nearly 60 years. Maintaining long-term operational control and security of Diego Garcia is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius Agreement. We will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK's best interests and protects our national security.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have held with environmental organisations about the implications of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill.

Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Ministers and officials have engaged with a range of stakeholders, including environmental organisations, on issues relating to the future of the Chagos Archipelago and the environmental protection of its unique marine environment. The Government remains committed to ensuring long-term robust environmental protections for the Archipelago.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the answer of 27 July 2026 to Question HL2193 on USA: Military Bases, whether there is a timetable for the UK Government to agree with the US Government to amend the Exchange of Notes to facilitate the passage of the UK's proposed Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, and what is the current position of the US Government on whether they are willing to amend the Exchange of Notes.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

We have always been clear that the US Government must be content with the agreement before we proceed with ratifying the treaty. We will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK's best interests and protects our national security.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to reintroduce the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill; and whether they plan to negotiate a new Memorandum of Understanding on this subject with the government of the United States of America.

Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US, which has protected our shared security for nearly 60 years. Maintaining long-term operational control and security of Diego Garcia is the entire basis for the UK-Mauritius Agreement. We will continue to work with the US and Mauritius to find a way forward that is in the UK's best interests and protects our national security.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2026 to Question 1016 on Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, what is the nature of the ongoing discussions.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Mr Doughty), in the House of Commons on 13 April 2026, who confirmed that the UK continues to engage closely with the United States and with Mauritius on the way forward for the UK-Mauritius Agreement.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much money has been saved from her Department's budget as a result of the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill not completing its passage in each financial year for the remainder of the current Parliament.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

No payments are due under the terms of the UK-Mauritius agreement until the Treaty has been ratified. Full details of the proposed payments have already been published in the Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the Treaty.