Chagossians: Government Assistance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will conduct a consultation with Chagossians on the (a) restoration of the right of (i) abode and (ii) resettlement, (b) loss of (A) visitation permissions and (B) practical assistance by the UK and (c) fishing and natural resources.
Answered by Stephen Doughty
We recognise the importance of the islands to Chagossians and have worked to ensure the agreement reflects this. We will increase our support to Chagossians, including through: the establishment of a £40 million trust fund to benefit Chagossians; the ability Mauritius will have, for the first time, to resettle the islands other than Diego Garcia (in contrast to the 2016 Conservative Government that decided that a programme of resettlement on the Archipelago would not be taken forward by the UK); and work with Mauritius to start a new programme of visits for Chagossians to the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. We have also maintained the current route to British citizenship for Chagossians, so all Chagossians will remain eligible and free to make their home in the UK. The UK Government regularly engages with Chagossians at both official and Ministerial levels and a new 'Contact Group' will facilitate dialogue between the Chagossian community and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on future programmes.
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