Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the veracity of allegations of the false imprisonment of Sri Lankan nationals in Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and if he will make a statement.

Sri Lankan migrants are not routinely detained on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) and we strongly dispute any allegations of false imprisonment. These allegations are subject to ongoing legal proceedings, and it would be inappropriate to comment any further on this matter until such proceedings have concluded.

Around 130 migrants of Sri Lankan nationality have so far voluntarily returned to their home country on six separate flights chartered by the BIOT Administration. We are grateful to the Sri Lankan Government for their assistance in facilitating these returns. The welfare and safety of the remaining migrants on Diego Garcia is also a top priority for the BIOT Administration. They are provided with accommodation, food, communications and dedicated 24/7 medical support, as well as educational and welfare facilities.