Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what safeguards will be put in place to ensure the safe passage of international flights over the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The UK has no doubt as to our sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. All regional countries are contracting parties to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) whose objectives include ensuring the safe and secure passage of air transport.