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1,015 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI think that the ordinary general public would be pretty concerned about a situation in which we had the risk of joint— [ Interruption. ] Opposition Members laugh. They laugh…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI find the approach of Opposition Members to this subject to be very confusing. [Hon. Members: “Shocking.”] Some say shocking—I say confusing. Some Opposition Members have said…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI will not be invited down any route by the Conservative party. We all know where that leads—to rack and ruin. Of course, the situation for many Chagossians has been very…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryThank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. As I was saying, in that kind of situation, we would unfortunately see international organisations following that determination, such as the…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryNo, I will make progress.26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryClaims that there were no legal necessities to negotiate are absolutely wrong; they misunderstand the legal jeopardy and immediate operational challenges that the base faces.…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryThe hon. Gentleman is right to raise this issue. Of course, he will understand that the negotiations were between the UK and Mauritius, and that our priority was to secure the…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean Territoryrose—26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI do not want to embarrass the right hon. Gentleman, but he surely understands the difference with access to spectrum, which is the key issue here. It is critical. I find it…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI am more than happy to go into the financial question in a few moments, because this too, sadly, is an issue about which the Opposition have been deeply confused. As for the…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryThe right hon. Gentleman is well aware that of course we know about that ICJ carve-out in relation to the Commonwealth. That is common knowledge. I find it slightly strange that…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI will make progress and then I will be very happy to take interventions. The status quo is not sustainable. It imperils UK and US strategic interests. A deal, as the right hon.…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI give way to the hon. Member for Hinckley and Bosworth.26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryNo, I said that I would make progress.26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI will take one last intervention.26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI agree with the chuntering; it is risible that the Conservatives undertook 11 rounds of negotiations on this subject, and they simply will not admit to having done so. The right…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryNo, I will not take another intervention from the right hon. Gentleman. My response was very clear. On the subject of inaccurate speculation about the cost of the treaty, Prime…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI know that the right hon. Gentleman understands full well that this is because of the legal uncertainty that is created by the current situation. That has been recognised time…26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryNo, I will make progress.26 Feb 2025HANSARD British Indian Ocean TerritoryI will happily give way to the right hon. Gentleman.26 Feb 2025