British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations

Debate between Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and David Lammy
Monday 7th October 2024

(1 month, 2 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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Foreign Secretaries do not comment on such capabilities, but the House will have heard the hon. Gentleman’s remarks.

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Portrait Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (North Cotswolds) (Con)
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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?

David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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The hon. Gentleman is right to raise these issues. He will be able to scrutinise provisions in that regard in the coming months.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and David Lammy
Tuesday 30th July 2024

(3 months, 3 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Portrait Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (North Cotswolds) (Con)
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What steps will the British Government be taking, following the highly disputed result in Venezuela of the election of President Maduro, to work with our American colleagues over the disputed land in Guyana to prevent any incursion there?

David Lammy Portrait Mr Lammy
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that issue. The disputed election in the last few days is of huge concern, and I issued a statement on it yesterday. There are ongoing discussions with our American friends, and indeed with the state of Guyana, given the threats from Maduro in the past.