To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the possibility of formulating a long-term conservation framework with a natural conservation area in the British Indian Ocean Territory. (274602)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration are committed to high standards of environmental protection in BIOT. There is a legislative framework, protection of sites and species of particular importance, and designated reserves (an area of Diego Garcia has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands). These have contributed to the very high levels of nature conservation achieved in the territory.

The FCO and BIOT Administration are keen to explore options for further enhancing levels of environmental protection in BIOT and welcome the interest expressed, for example, by the Chagos Environment Network who have recently proposed the establishment of a large-scale Marine Protected Area.

These issues have not been the subject of discussion with ministerial colleagues, but FCO officials have been asked to engage with officials in other Government Departments.