Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many asylum seekers or refugees are currently on Diego Garcia and what is the total annual cost of keeping them there.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There are currently 56 Tamil migrants in Diego Garcia, and a further 8 in Rwanda for medical treatment that could not be provided in Diego Garcia.

The FCDO provides funding to the BIOT Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. This funding includes all costs associated with temporarily supporting the migrants on BIOT and supporting their departure from the territory. In FY 23/24, the FCDO provided £29.3million of funding. BIOT is constitutionally distinct and separate from the UK and is administered by the BIOT Administration. The FCDO does not hold a record of a detailed expenditure breakdown. However, the Administration has confirmed that the majority of funding was spent on supporting migrants.

The BIOT Administration has prioritised the welfare and safety of migrants on BIOT at all times. They receive dedicated 24-hour-a day medical care from a medical team formed of doctors, paramedics, registered nurses and mental health practitioners as well as food, accommodation, education, telecoms and recreational facilities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to make arrangements for lawyers to visit their clients on Diego Garcia; and for the Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory to sit there, following the recent decision of the United States to withhold logistical support, including food and water, from the court.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The migrant camp is situated within the UK-US military facility in Diego Garcia. The facility is vital for regional and global security; both countries work to ensure its secure and effective operation.

The FCDO continues to work with the BIOT Administration and the U.S. Government to enable the BIOT Supreme Court hearing to go ahead in a manner that respects the unique context on Diego Garcia.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ensure the implementation of the UNHCR recommendations on the safeguarding and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers on Diego Garcia; and what arrangements are being made to bring those people to the UK, given the UNHCR's finding that Diego Garcia is not a suitable environment.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

BIOT is not a suitable long-term location for the migrants which is why we are working to find a lasting solution.

The BIOT Administration has taken careful note of the UNHCR's recommendations on the safeguarding and welfare of the migrants. The welfare and safety of migrants on BIOT is the Administration's top priority. They are provided with food, telecoms, education and recreational facilities, and 24-hours-a-day medical support., to the extent to which this is possible in Diego Garcia.

The BIOT Administration has worked to put appropriate safeguarding and social care systems in place for the migrants. All allegations of criminality are fully investigated, with criminal charges brought where appropriate.

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The House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee is undertaking a short inquiry into responses to shoplifting, including the Pegasus initiative.