VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Chagos Islands: Sovereignty

Asked by James CartlidgeConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 12 June 2025UIN 57302

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 14, Clause 3 of the UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia [CS Mauritius No.1/2025], under what circumstances a concern relating to the essential security interests of the implementation of the Agreement would be made.

Answered by Luke Pollard

Article 14 of the Treaty sets out the role of the Joint Commission in resolving disputes. It is expected that the majority of security concerns that arise once the Agreement is in force will be resolved via the Joint Commission. As stated in Annex 1, paragraph 10, in the event that the UK has serious concerns that a proposed activity by Mauritius risked conflicting with the obligations in Article 3(2)(b), the UK may raise that concern at the political level for urgent consultations.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim