British Indian Ocean Territory: Resettlement Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
James Duddridge
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British Indian Ocean Territory: Resettlement
James Duddridge Excerpts(9 years, 8 months ago)
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (James Duddridge)
My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr Hugo Swire, informed the House on 10 February 2015 of the next steps in the Government’s review of its resettlement policy in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), following completion, on schedule, of an independent feasibility study. The study found there was not a clear indication of likely demand for resettlement, and costs and liabilities to the UK taxpayer were uncertain and potentially significant. Ministers have now agreed that further work should proceed to address these fundamental uncertainties to a point that a decision on the way ahead is possible.
[HCWS461]