Speeches by Brandreth.

“Before we move on to some questions relating to the Chagossian people, I wanted to follow up on a couple of questions on the points we have been talking about relating to the base. To clarify your answers to the questions that Sir John Whittingdale asked, can you confirm: does this mean that treaties that Mauritius has…”

“I understand that we are not a party to that. I am asking, given that Mauritius has sovereignty over all the islands, whether that means that those laws take precedence in Diego Garcia.”

“I understand you are saying it will operate as it always has, but in the future—not necessarily as it always has done—does it mean that we will have to comply with treaties and laws that Mauritius has signed up to?”

“I understand that, but I am asking specifically about the ones Mauritius has signed up to.”

“You mentioned the Chagossian trust fund. You noted earlier that you hoped that the British Chagossians will be given a say in how that £40 million trust fund is spent. Why did you not agree a joint governance model for that, which would have meant that you were not relying on hope alone?”

“I understand that, but it has been signed under this Government, so I am just trying to clarify whether you think it is right that British Chagossians potentially won’t be able to resettle there, whereas people without any link to the islands can.”

“With respect, this is a deal that this Government have agreed.”

“Just to be clear, am I right in understanding that essentially, because we have ceded control, under the resettlement agreement that we have, it is possible that people of no kind of Chagossian descent or link to the islands could resettle, while at the same time, potentially, British Chagossians could not?”

“So we do not know if they will or not?”

“But only if Mauritius allows that to be the case.”

“To clarify, do you think it is right that the British Chagossians have no right to return?”

“Thank you.”

“Outside of the 12-nautical-mile limit around Diego Garcia, is Mauritius permitted to have security or military forces? Would they need to notify us, as we would need to notify them, and could they potentially have military advisers or observers from countries other than Mauritius?”

“Is there a requirement for them to notify us?”

“And any military observers?”

“Is there a separate lease document for Diego Garcia or is that the treaty itself—is it included in the information that we already have?”

“I wanted to ask a couple of questions on the Chagossian people. I have met with British Chagossians who have shared with me that they feel excluded from the negotiations on this agreement. You are probably aware of that. How would you respond to the concerns that the Government did not provide adequate opportunities fo…”

“The Foreign Secretary has said that Iran must not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Does he therefore support the recent targeted strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities: yes or no? If not, can he explain how exactly that inaction would have curtailed Iran’s nuclear ambitions?”

“I will make progress, as I know that a few Members wish to speak on this point, and we have a long day ahead. I will touch briefly on amendment 18, tabled by the hon. Member for Winchester, which suggests that ACDs should include a person’s financial circumstances. I recognise the sentiment behind the amendment. As bot…”

“I will take a few moments to reflect on clauses 46 and 47. They deal with aftercare, which is at the heart of how we help people to recover from serious mental illness and reduce the chance of their readmission. Clause 46 will give mental health tribunals the ability to make recommendations about aftercare services—a w…”