Member

Therefore, there are so many reasons why we should be regretting this, and even going further. This is your Lordships’ House and I accept that there are certain precedents here, but I urge every Peer to support this, whatever their party is saying. This is not a party-political issue; it is about giving away part of our country’s British territory and then paying Mauritius to take it. It is very simple. We either believe in the right of the Chagossians, in self-determination and in the long-term security of our country, or we do not. There is a Government-in-waiting of the Chagossians—this is not going to go away. It will continue to fester away at the Government. I urge noble Lords to realise that there is still time for change and for His Majesty’s Government to recognise that this is a very bad Bill and should be dropped.