To ask the Prime Minister if she will visit Mauritius in order to ascertain from the Ilois people whether they wish to return to Diego Garcia in the changed military circumstances.

No. Those concerned worked on the former copra plantations in the Chagos Archipelago. After the plantations closed between 1971 and 1973 they and their families were resettled in Mauritius and given considerable financial assistance. Their future now lies in Mauritius. The defence facilities in British Indian Ocean Territory continue to make a vital security contribution.