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1,614 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDChagos IslandsAs we have said repeatedly, the base was not on a sustainable footing. This deal puts it on a sustainable footing.05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI have explained on a number of occasions, and the last Government knew the reasons, why it was necessary to proceed with a deal to secure the future operation of the base—that…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI have answered that question on a number of occasions. Mauritius is one of the few African countries not to join the belt and road initiative—its alliance is with India—and we…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI can absolutely confirm that there will be no change in the operations of the base. That is the basis on which this agreement is founded, along with all the provisions and…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsThe primary purpose here is national security and ensuring the functioning of the base, but the right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to raise the issue of the Chagossians and…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsAs I have said, I am not going to give a running commentary on the discussions. What I will say is that the full details are being shared with the current US Administration, and…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI can tell the hon. Lady that the figure that she pulled out is categorically untrue. She had the answer in her question: she said “speculation”. There is a huge amount of…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI am not entirely sure what the right hon. Gentleman’s question is. If he is talking about the previous Government’s economic legacy to this one, we have a substantial…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsAgain, I refer to my previous statements. There has been no rush. We have been engaging with our Mauritian counterparts and the United States Administration, and we believe that…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsThere has been no change to the substance of the deal, nor to the overall quantum agreed. We will present it in due course so that it goes through the normal process of scrutiny…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI refer the hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave a few moments ago. The comments of the Prime Minister of Mauritius are for him to make. As I said, there has been no…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsThis House will have a final say on the deal, in the usual way for considering such measures. Legislation will be laid in due course. It is absolutely right that the United States…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsThese negotiations are between the two Governments. There are a range of interests at play, and a range of Ministers have been involved in the negotiations. There are equities…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsI simply do not accept the premise of the hon. Gentleman’s question. We will not scrimp on national security. We will invest in our national security, we will secure our bases and…05 Feb 2025HANSARDChagos IslandsOf course the House will have the right to make its decision in due course when legislation is put forward. That is only right and there will be ample scrutiny. The hon. Gentleman…05 Feb 2025HANSARDUK-US Bilateral RelationshipAs I said, we are going to focus on our common agendas globally: on growth, on defence, on security and on common prospects for our peoples. That is very much what this Government…04 Feb 2025HANSARDUK-US Bilateral RelationshipI will make some progress. I will try to come back to the right hon. Lady if I have time at the end, but a lot of points were made. The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State…04 Feb 2025HANSARDUK-US Bilateral RelationshipIt is good to see you in the Chair, Sir John. I know you are also a strong supporter of the UK-US relationship. I thank all right hon. and hon. Members for their contributions,…04 Feb 2025HANSARDUK-US Bilateral RelationshipI have answered many questions on Chagos. I am going to make progress, because I am conscious of the time. Since taking office, the UK Government have shown strong international…04 Feb 2025HANSARDUK-US Bilateral RelationshipI am conscious of time, but I will very briefly give way.04 Feb 2025