British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateGeoffrey Clifton-Brown
Main Page: Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Conservative - North Cotswolds)Department Debates - View all Geoffrey Clifton-Brown's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(2 months, 1 week ago)
Commons ChamberForeign Secretaries do not comment on such capabilities, but the House will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s remarks.
There is no dispute in the House that Diego Garcia is a vital strategic base in the heart of the British Indian Ocean Territory. Will the Foreign Secretary undertake, when he publishes the details of the treaty provisions, to include two things: first, the exclusion zone around Diego Garcia—how many miles—and secondly, provisions to prevent any other foreign power establishing a sovereign military base on any of the archipelagos of the British Indian Ocean Territory?
The hon. Gentleman is right to raise these issues. He will be able to scrutinise provisions in that regard in the coming months.