Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference the UK/Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia, published on 22 May 2025, whether he plans to take steps with the government of Mauritius to help ensure the Diego Garcia Ramsar Convention site is protected without compromising military activities.

The Diego Garcia Ramsar Convention site is currently protected without compromising military activities. There will be no change to this once the agreement comes into force.

The agreement provides an obligation to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base. The UK will control access to and administration of Diego Garcia, in light of this obligation, and the Exchange of Letters on International Organisations provides that United Kingdom retains responsibility for the environmental protection of the Ramsar site in accordance with the site’s Management Plan.