Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory Debate
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Bob Blackman
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Diego Garcia and British Indian Ocean Territory
Bob Blackman Excerpts(1 day, 7 hours ago)
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Mr Falconer
I suspect that is a question for the hon. Member for Clacton. The record of the former Reform leader in Wales is well known and understood but, having declined to comment on the Bill, I will have to decline to comment on the goings on of the Reform party.
Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
Reports suggest that Foreign Office officials have been instructed to act as if the treaty is in full operation. That is important, because we may be days, or even hours, away from military action against Iran. The key question is whether the US has to inform the UK and then Mauritius about wanting to use the base as a site for military operations. If it does, have the American Government approached the UK about such use?
Mr Falconer
For a reason that is long and well established in this House, I will not be drawn on hypotheticals or ongoing military operations, but I reassure the House and the hon. Member that the treaty is in force only once it has passed Parliament in the usual way.