Mark Francois MP: written questions 2025
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Written questions
Diego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54657More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(d) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to t
Answer: The UK will support the exercise of jurisdiction of Mauritius on Diego Garcia over (i) Mauritian nationals who are not members of UK Armed Forces or US personnel, and (ii) all persons not connected to the operation of the Base. This ensures that Mauritius...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 6(b) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he plans to take to ensur
Answer: The UK is not obligated under the treaty to provide any operationally sensitive detail to Mauritius. Any submissions made under Annex 1 paragraph 6 will undergo assessment by the UK in consultation with the US to ensure operations are not compromised.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(iii) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he plans to take to
Answer: The UK has full command and control over UK military personnel on Diego Garcia. There are no means for Mauritius to obtain command and control over UK military personnel as a result of the treaty.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(f) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what mechanism will be put in place
Answer: A Joint Commission will oversee implementation of the treaty and will discuss issues relating to the effective operation of the base on Diego Garcia. No joint decision can be taken in the Joint Commission without UK agreement. Additionally, under the Trea...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the cost of the public purse of contributing to the Government of Mauritius’s maritime security including (a) training and (b) equipment over the next ten years.
Answer: As set out in the new UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework, Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. Further engagement on the details of this cooperation with Mauritius is ongoing. Our contribution...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3(h) of Article 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he plans to take to ens
Answer: The UK has unrestricted ability to control and manage the electromagnetic spectrum for Diego Garcia and the surrounding 12 nautical miles. Decisions related to the electromagnetic spectrum beyond Diego Garcia will be taken jointly by the UK and Mauritius ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(a) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what estimate he has made of the cos
Answer: As per paragraph 10 of Annex 2, the UK and Mauritius will be agreeing separate arrangements and operating procedures as necessary to assist and facilitate the exercise of Mauritian jurisdiction in respect to paragraph 8. There will be no additional facili...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54650More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how he will ensure the (a) security and (b) operational continuit
Answer: The United Kingdom shall continue to be responsible for the administration and facilitation of maintenance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation monitoring stations on Diego Garcia. The arrangements are described in the International O...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54649More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the risk of the Government of Mauritius inviting non-allied security forces to operate in the Chagos Archipelago.
Answer: Under the treaty, no third-party security force can operate without the consent of the UK.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 8(e) of Annex 2 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department plans to t
Answer: In conjunction with the steps taken elsewhere in Government, the Ministry of Defence will assess the capability of Mauritius to secure its Exclusive Economic Zone and will provide targeted support, including through training, to strengthen efforts to coun...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54647More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(b)(viii) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what security protocols his De
Answer: This provision enables the United Kingdom to permit and control access to Diego Garcia by partner states. No further security protocols are required.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps his Department is taking to ensure the storage of (a)
Answer: The United Kingdom is not bound by Mauritian environmental law. Under Article 5, the UK will apply applicable international environmental law with due regard to applicable Mauritian environmental laws; this reflects the long-standing Defence policy of app...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54645More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 5 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what mechanism
Answer: Under the agreement, the UK shall be responsible for environmental protection on Diego Garcia and the surrounding 12 nautical miles. This shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable international law, and with due regard to applicable Mauritian envi...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 6 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he will take to prevent unauthorised acce
Answer: Under the treaty, Mauritius will have the ability to conduct resettlement on any island in the Chagos Archipelago other than Diego Garcia. The UK has no intention of constraining resettlement activity, but has negotiated an effective veto over any activit...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54643More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 5 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what estimate he has made of the cost o
Answer: As set out in the new UK-Mauritius Strategic Partnership Framework, Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. Further engagement on the details of this cooperation with Mauritius is ongoing. Securing the fut...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMauritius: SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54642More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 3 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), how his Department will co-operate with the Governme
Answer: Mauritius and the United Kingdom will cooperate on matters relating to maritime security. Our contribution will focus on providing training and building institutional partnerships. This will contribute to preserving the safety, security, stability and pro...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54641More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 5 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether his Department has contingency plans to addr
Answer: The United Kingdom is not bound by Mauritian environmental law. Under Article 5, the UK will apply applicable international environmental law with due regard to applicable Mauritian environmental laws; this reflects the long-standing Defence policy of app...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54640More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 1(a) of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether the Agreement permits (a) ac
Answer: In respect of the Chagos Archipelago beyond Diego Garcia, vessels and aircraft of the United Kingdom and the United States of America shall have unrestricted rights of overflight, navigation and undersea access.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54639More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 10 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps will his Department take to determine co
Answer: There are robust security measures in place on Diego Garcia for all employees, contractors and suppliers. These standards will continue to be upheld following entry into force of the treaty.
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54638More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Article 6 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what steps he will take to ensure the resettlement p
Answer: Under the treaty, Mauritius will have the ability to conduct resettlement on any island in the Chagos Archipelago other than Diego Garcia. The UK has no intention of constraining resettlement activity, but has negotiated an effective veto over any activit...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDiego Garcia: Military BasesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54637More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to paragraph 2 of Annex 1 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), i
Answer: Any notification will take place after the event and will not require the UK to divulge sensitive information. Agreement to inform a host nation about military action from their territory is standard practice in basing arrangements. Additionally, the UN C...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 10 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), what discussi
Answer: The United States has welcomed the Diego Garcia Base Treaty. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that it "secures the operational capabilities of the base and key US national security interests in the region". We have worked closely with the U...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025) and the Exchan
Answer: The costs associated with the deal will be split between the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. None of the funds will be classed as development aid.
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 11(1)(b) of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025) and the
Answer: As outlined in the Explanatory Memorandum, the UK will capitalise a Trust Fund established by Mauritius for the benefit of Chagossians. The Mauritian Government will oversee the fund, but the UK will work with them to develop its details during implementa...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to Article 4 of the document entitled UK/Mauritius: Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia (CS Mauritius No.1/2025), whether the im
Answer: The United Kingdom is not a Party to the Pelindaba Treaty, although it is a Party to Protocols I and II. The United Kingdom will ensure all operations on Diego Garcia will continue to comply with its obligations under applicable international law.
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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