Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Debate between Baroness Meyer and Lord Hannan of Kingsclere

Committee stage
Tuesday 18th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Meyer (Con)]

But I allow my noble friend.

[Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Con)]

The Chagossian people have made it very clear what they want. They had their own opinion poll on the subject, and that has been independently verified: 99.22% of people voted for it. The noble Lord, Lord Purvis of Tweed, asked what the proposition would be. It is for a resettlement on the outer atolls, under British jurisdiction and as British overseas citizens, in accordance with the plan set out in 2015, to which the noble Baroness, Lady Foster, referred earlier.

[Baroness Meyer (Con)]

Yes, and they seem to approve what we are saying. Basically, these amendments are about asking the Chagossian people about the right to self-determination through a referendum. I have never met a Chagossian in my life, but I have received many letters from them over the past few days and feel that this is my moral duty, and I think that, in good conscience, the Government should allow them self-determination.