Member

The protection of the environment in the Chagos Archipelago is a real concern to many who care about the future of the islands, especially the Chagossians themselves. It is right that the treaty includes protections for the environment, especially for marine wildlife around the islands, but we still need clarity from the Government. For example, the Minister told the House at Second Reading that fishing rights would be limited to traditional sustainable fishing connected with any resettlement of the islands. Could she tell the Committee how the UK Government would hold Mauritius to account if it breached that commitment, bearing in mind that it does not have any way whatever of enforcing those requirements? It has no fishery protection vessels that can reach the Chagos Islands, and not a single one of the aircraft it has can reach the islands, either.