Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the intended effect of Article 1 of the UK-Mauritius Treaty is to recognise Mauritius as being sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia since Mauritian independence.

Mauritius will become sovereign at the point of entry into force of the Treaty. The Treaty explicitly grants all rights and authorities that the United Kingdom requires for the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base.