Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what legal basis he began negotiations with Mauritius on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Negotiations have begun between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory /Chagos Archipelago. Through negotiations, taking into account relevant legal proceedings, it is our intention to secure an agreement on the basis of international law to resolve all outstanding issues in relation the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago.