Member

32: After Clause 1, insert the following new Clause— “Referendum(1) The Secretary of State must arrange a referendum on whether the British Indian Ocean Territory should—(a) remain a British Overseas Territory, or(b) be transferred to and become the sovereign territory of the Republic of Mauritius.(2) No transfer of sovereignty may take place under section 2 unless the number of Chagossians voting to transfer the islands to Mauritius exceeds those of the Chagossians that wish to remain a British Overseas Territory.(3) The franchise for the referendum must consist of persons entitled to citizenship under section 4 who are over 18 years of age, wherever they are resident.(4) The Secretary of State must ensure that eligible persons resident outside the United Kingdom are able to participate in the referendum.(5) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a statement of the result of the referendum as soon as reasonably practicable after it has been held.”