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Diego Garcia: Military Bases

Asked by Mr Mark FrancoisConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 9 June 2025UIN 54657

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(d) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to take to provide assistance to the Government of Mauritius in the (a) arrest in and (b) transfer of prisoners from Diego Garcia as defined in Article 19 of the Agreement.

Answered by Luke Pollard

The UK will support the exercise of jurisdiction of Mauritius on Diego Garcia over (i) Mauritian nationals who are not members of UK Armed Forces or US personnel, and (ii) all persons not connected to the operation of the Base. This ensures that Mauritius has jurisdiction over any future illegal migration to the island, closing off a dangerous and costly immigration route to the UK.

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