Mauritius Treaty: Chagos Islands

01 Apr

Question

The Question session focused on the ongoing negotiations and potential treaty with Mauritius concerning the Chagos Islands' sovereignty. The key issues revolved around the financial implications for the UK, the strategic importance of the Diego Garcia military base, and the transparency in handling parliamentary scrutiny.

Questions were raised on the exact timing and financial commitments entailed in the treaty, with concerns about potential costs to the UK taxpayer. The session highlighted repeated assurances from the spokesperson, Stephen Doughty, regarding the security necessities dictating financial commitments and the parliamentary review.

Details specific to the debate include:

Strategic Importance: The Chagos Islands, particularly Diego Garcia, are critical for UK and US security operations.
Financial Concerns: Projected financial liabilities, ranging from £9 billion to £50 billion annually, were discussed.
Parliamentary Scrutiny: Promises were made that the treaty would be examined thoroughly in Parliament before ratification.

£9 billion to £50 billion annually

Estimated annual financial liabilities associated with the treaty.

Quality of Answers and Follow-up:

The responses emphasized security and long-term strategic alliances while providing general assurances of transparency in costs and operations.

99 years

Duration of financial commitments as part of the treaty.

New Information:

Specific references to a long-term financial commitment over 99 years were highlighted, indicating sustained international cooperation.

Outcome

The debate illustrated the government's stance on security priorities over financial costs, promising scrutiny of the treaty terms, ensuring parliamentary engagement. Amid skepticism and opposition, the focus remained on international collaboration and long-term security objectives.

Key Contributions

Mr Peter Bedford

Conservative

Inquired about the timing of the proposed treaty presentation to Parliament.

Dr Ben Spencer

Conservative

Questioned the timing of the treaty presentation.

Stephen Doughty

Clarified that the treaty would ensure the continued operation of the base on Diego Garcia.

Andrew Rosindell

Conservative

Expressed discontent, describing the treaty as a 'sell-out.'

Original Transcript

Mr Peter Bedford

Mid Leicestershire

Con

Question

UIN: 903549

15. When he plans to present to Parliament the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos islands.

Dr Ben Spencer

Runnymede and Weybridge

Con

Question

UIN: 903553

19. When he plans to present to Parliament the proposed treaty with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the Chagos islands.

The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Stephen Doughty

12:19

As we and Mauritius have repeatedly said, including in joint statements on 20 December and 13 January, both sides remain committed to concluding a deal on the future of the Chagos archipelago that protects the long-term effective operation of the joint UK-US base on Diego Garcia.

Once the treaty is signed, it will be put to Parliament for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way.

Mr Bedford

12:19

Given that there is no binding legal basis for the ceding of the Chagos islands and that the deal will cost the hard-pressed British taxpayer north of £9 billion, £18 billion or possibly £50 billion a year, will the Secretary of State confirm what total financial liabilities will be brought to the UK and whether they will be funded from the uplift in the defence budget announced in the spring statement?

Stephen Doughty

I have answered those questions on a number of occasions, including earlier. I have been very clear that a financial element is crucial to protect the operation of such a vital base for our security and for the security of our allies.

Once the treaty is signed, it will be put before the Houses for scrutiny before ratification in the usual way, and that will include costs. We will not scrimp on security: protecting our interests and those of our allies is the most important thing.

Dr Spencer

12:24

Politics is about choices, and the speculation about how much the Government want to hand over to Mauritius starts at £9 billion. That money would go a long way as official development assistance, so does the Minister regret that choice?

Stephen Doughty

12:24

As I have said, a financial element—let us remember that this is over 99 years—was crucial to protect the operation of the base. If we do not pay for our security, somebody else might attempt to get in there.

That is one crucial reason we have worked closely with Mauritius, the United States and other allies and partners, including India, to protect our base on Diego Garcia.

Andrew Rosindell

Romford

Con

12:24

It is a sell-out.

Stephen Doughty

I can hear the chuntering from the shadow Minister, but it is simply not correct—we are protecting Diego Garcia, our interests there and our national security.

I am afraid that I simply do not accept what he is saying, and of course, if there was not a problem, why did his Government start the negotiations in the first place?

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