Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the response by the government of Mauritius to the MV Wakashio oil spill of 2020; and what records they hold of any assessment of this matter conducted in connection with negotiations over the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory, up to and including the date of this question.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the MV Wakashio oil spill, Mauritius undertook a review of its National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, drawing on lessons identified from the incident. The review was supported by international partners, including the UNDP and technical experts, and was intended to strengthen national preparedness and response arrangements for future oil-spill incidents. This was one of a range of factors considered by the Government in connection to the future environmental protection of the British Indian Ocean Territory during negotiations with Mauritius.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many British citizens are awaiting compensation for the seizure of their land by the government of Zimbabwe.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK Government does not hold comprehensive information on the number of British citizens awaiting compensation following the seizure of land in Zimbabwe. Responsibility for compensating those affected by Zimbabwe's Fast Track Land Reform Programme rests with the Government of Zimbabwe.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the capacity and track record of the Government of Mauritius to manage marine protected areas, as part of the preparation, development and due diligence of the negotiations over the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government considered a range of factors relevant to the future environmental and marine protection of the British Indian Ocean Territory during negotiations with Mauritius. Mauritius committed to ensure the marine environment would be effectively protected under a future Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area (MPA). Under the terms of the Agreement, the UK agreed it would support Mauritius in the establishment and management of any future MPA.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether British Overseas Territories citizens connected to the British Indian Ocean Territory are entitled to bring legal challenges before the courts on matters affecting their (1) citizenship status, (2) ancestral graves, and (3) place of birth, where those matters concern British sovereign territory
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Legal challenges concerning decisions affecting the British Indian Ocean Territory may be brought before the courts in accordance with the applicable legal framework and procedures. As with any litigation, it is for the courts to determine questions of jurisdiction and the merits of individual cases.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what expenditure has been incurred in legal work relating to the Chagos islands or the Chagossian people in the last two years.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
It is not possible to provide a single figure for this expenditure. Government lawyers are salaried and do not charge their time by individual workstream. There is also no centrally held figure for external legal costs across government relating to the Chagos Islands or Chagossian people over the last two years.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the appropriate forum for legal challenges brought by Chagossians about decisions affecting the British Indian Ocean Territory.
Answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Legal challenges concerning decisions affecting the British Indian Ocean Territory may be brought before the courts in accordance with the applicable legal framework and procedures. As with any litigation, it is for the courts to determine questions of jurisdiction and the merits of individual cases.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report that the new Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland described herself as the Ambassador to Great Britain when presenting her credentials.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 8 September in response to Question 26855 which is copied below:
All Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary accredited to the Court of St James's are Ambassadors to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of South Africa regarding the expulsion of migrants and refugees from Zimbabwe from South Africa.
Answered by Lord Wood of Anfield - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided on 20th July in response to Question HL1800.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what are the powers of the Commissioner for the British Indian Overseas Territory.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they most recently met the Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory to discuss the settlement of Chagossians on Peros Banhos island.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington
I refer the Noble Baroness to the answer provided in response to Questions HL16595-99 on 29 April.