Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the British Indian Overseas Territory’s effect on the UK’s national security; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for national security of those areas no longer being sovereign UK territory.

The joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia plays a crucial role in combating some of the most challenging threats to regional and international security, including those from terrorism, organised crime, instability, and piracy.

The UK and Mauritius have decided to begin negotiations on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago. The UK and Mauritius have reiterated that any agreement between our two countries will ensure the continued effective operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia.