Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his answer to Urgent Question on 11 November 2024 from the Hon. Member for South Suffolk, when he first became aware of the costs to be borne by his Department arising from the agreement with Mauritius on sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

Negotiations between the UK and Mauritius on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago were opened in 2022 under the previous Government.

The lead Department for the negotiations was the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence was closely updated and engaged in all the key aspects of the negotiations. The agreement secured with Mauritius protects the effective operation of the joint UK/US base on Diego Garcia for at least the next 99 years.

Details of the Treaty agreed between the UK and Mauritius will come before Parliament for scrutiny in the usual manner following its signature. It would be inappropriate to release further details at this stage.