Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Written Statement of 16 November 2016, WS260, how he plans to use the £40 million offered in support of the Chagos Islands community over the next 10 years (a) generally and (b) to benefit the UK Chagossian population in Crawley constituency.

The Government is determined to address the aspirations of Chagossians for better lives and for a continued connection to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Accordingly, the Government is creating a significant and ambitious support package to provide Chagossians with better life chances and is developing an increased visits programme. This will be used to address the most pressing needs of Chagossians, notably adequate health and social care, improved education access and employment opportunities. The package will now be worked up fully in discussion with all those with an interest, including the Chagossian community.