Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2013, Official Report, column 656W, on British Indian Ocean Territory, if he will re-evaluate the feasibility of habitation of the outer islands in the British Indian Ocean Territory; and if he will agree in consultation with Chagossians to an independent study by international experts to report within 12 months on the practicalities of resettlement to these islands.
[138393]
Answer
In taking stock of our policy on resettlement, feasibility will be an important factor. We are still considering options and no time scale has yet been fixed. We will engage with Chagossian groups and all interested parties as we take this work forward.