Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that the proposed handover of the Chagos Archipelago complies with the UK's commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity, particularly regarding the maintenance of protected areas and ecosystem conservation.

The UK Overseas Territories biodiversity strategy, last updated on 12 January, details the importance of the Chagos Archipelago in supporting the healthiest, best managed large ecosystem complex in the Indian ocean, and confirms that - after the UK-Mauritius treaty comes into force - we will support the Mauritian Government in an enhanced partnership to ensure the future protection of that unique environment. As discussed at length during the debates on the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, the treaty is entirely compatible with the UK's other environmental commitments and obligations.