British Indian Ocean Territory: Postal Services

(asked on 6th September 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that outbound postal services from the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) comply with the Universal Postal Convention following adoption of Resolution C15/2021 of the Universal Postal Union to no longer recognise BIOT postage stamps.


Answered by
Nigel Adams Portrait
Nigel Adams
This question was answered on 14th September 2021

The UK has no doubt about its sovereignty over BIOT, which has been under continuous British sovereignty since 1814. Mauritius has never held sovereignty over the Archipelago and we do not recognise its claim.

The BIOT Administration is considering further the practical impact of the UPU resolution on the BIOT postal service and the future of commemorative stamps. The BFPO and the US civil postal system are not affected by the resolution and will carry on as normal.

Reticulating Splines