Lord Jay of Ewelme debates involving the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office during the 2024 Parliament

British Indian Ocean Territory: Negotiations

Lord Jay of Ewelme Excerpts
Wednesday 9th October 2024

(1 month, 3 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Jay of Ewelme Portrait Lord Jay of Ewelme (CB)
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My Lords, I congratulate the Government on reaching this agreement, and I congratulate the last Government on initiating the negotiations for it. They right a long-standing wrong. As the Minister has said, we await the details of the agreement, but can she assure us that the Government will continue discussions and negotiations with the Government of Mauritius about the implementation of the agreement, including the risk of any entryism by China?

Baroness Chapman of Darlington Portrait Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
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That is an important question from the noble Lord. Yes, the agreement will mean that it will not be possible for other foreign states to operate from the other islands, which has been raised as a concern.