To ask Her Majesty's Government why the website of the British consulate-general in Hong Kong lists British Indian Ocean Territory as a country which British National (Overseas) passport holders can visit without a visa; and under what circumstances it is possible for a British National (Overseas) to visit the British Indian Ocean Territory. [HL2227]

I thank the noble Lord for alerting us to the fact that the website of the British consulate-general in Hong Kong lists the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) as a country which British National (Overseas) passport holders can visit without a visa. This is incorrect. Following the judgment by the House of Lords on 22 October 2008, all visitors to the territory require a permit. The BIOT Administration have asked the British consulate-general to amend its list.

The BIOT Administration do allow private yachts to moor at certain sites in the outer atolls of Peros Banhos and Salomon. Each yacht has to apply for a permit in advance from the BIOT Administration. BIOT customs and immigration officials use the BIOT patrol vessel, the “Pacific Marlin”, to check such visitors.