Member

Amendments 83 and 85, again from the noble Baroness, Lady Goldie, and supported by the noble Lord, Lord Kerr, and others, seek clarity on whether Annex 1(1)(b)(viii) requires the UK to seek the consent of Mauritius to permit access, basing and overflight to non-UK, non-US aircraft and vessels to Diego Garcia. I am happy to assure the noble Baroness, and other noble Lords who are concerned about this, that it does not. The treaty clearly distinguishes between notification and permission. The noble Baroness can see the definition of “unrestricted” rights in Annex 1(11). I hope it is helpful to clarify the distinction between notification and permission.