British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

British Indian Ocean Territory: Sovereignty

Tim Roca Excerpts
Wednesday 18th December 2024

(1 day, 18 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

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Stephen Doughty Portrait Stephen Doughty
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When we are looking to protect the national security of this country, we will operate at the fastest and most appropriate pace that we can. This matter had been left languishing under the previous Administration, with the future of the base unsecure. We have secured it.

Tim Roca Portrait Tim Roca (Macclesfield) (Lab)
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May I wish you a merry Christmas, Mr Speaker?

Does the Minister recognise that the issue is being raised by the Opposition again and again, despite the cognitive dissonance that it was they who opened the negotiations in the first place? I have to endorse the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth North (Amanda Martin) about the scaremongering and the irresponsible way in which the Opposition have conducted the debate with regard to other overseas territories and self-determination.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I am a little bit concerned, as I granted the urgent question. I have taken a judgment call; I hope we are not questioning that.