Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill

Debate between Viscount Stansgate and Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Committee stage
Tuesday 18th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I wish to oppose the noble Baroness in the suggestion, because I think we have made some good progress this evening and had some good debates. We are about to discuss some very important issues around the marine protected area. I am here and ready to do that, despite the bizarre late degrouping for no apparent reason, when we had a repeat of an earlier debate. I think it would be good to make some progress this evening.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

I imagine that the noble Lord, Lord Thurlow, would want his two amendments grouped with the other marine protected area amendments. Unfortunately, he is not here. It would be good to have all those amendments grouped together, so that we could have a thorough exposition of the environment, instead of part of it tonight and part of it next Tuesday. I would have preferred it if my Amendment 20A was grouped with the right of Chagossians to return, which was already debated but, because it was not, it now has to wait until next week. So I think there is an argument to have the next group next week, so that all the marine environment amendments can be heard together.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Viscount Stansgate) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Question has been put that the House do now resume. I must now put that Question. I think on a show of voices the Not-Contents have it.