Member

I assure noble Lords that the treaty contains robust security provisions, including a prohibition on foreign-country forces on the outer islands, whether civilian or military. In addition, the UK has, in effect, a veto on any construction or development across the islands. That is why this has been supported by the United States and all our Five Eyes partners. It is perfectly within the rights of any noble Lord to reach their own security assessment and judgment on what should be allowed, but the assessment of the White House and every one of our Five Eyes partners is that they support this treaty.