Diego Garcia: Ilois

Jeremy Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates UK Government (a) officials and (b) Ministers held discussions with the US Administration on new arrangements for Chagos Islanders to work on two-year contracts on Diego Garcia; and when these new arrangements came into effect.

Meg Munn
There are no new arrangements. Chagossians have been able to apply for jobs on the US facility on Diego Garcia—some have worked there over the past decades, three Chagossians were employed there last year.

Officials annually remind the government of the United States of its obligation under the 1966 Exchange of Notes that it and its contractors agreed to make use of workers from Mauritius and Seychelles to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with United States policies, requirements and schedules. This was last reviewed during the 2007 US/UK political military talks held in Washington on 12 and 13 September. Ministers have not raised this issue recently with the US administration.

Jeremy Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Chagos Island contract community members are eligible to apply for work on Diego Garcia; and what regulations will apply to such workers.

Meg Munn
Any Chagossian can apply for work on Diego Garcia advertised by the US contractor, DG21.

Under our 1966 Exchange of Notes with the government of the United States, the United States government and contractors agreed to make use of workers from Mauritius to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with United States policies, requirements and schedules.

In November 2007, DG21's programme director visited Mauritius and had meetings with Chagossian leaders in which he outlined further job opportunities for Chagossians on Diego Garcia. He made clear that recruitment was on merit.