Urgent Question on the future of Chagos Islanders
17 November 2016 (updated on 17 November 2016)
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, Sir Alan Duncan, responded to an Urgent Question asked by Andrew Rosindell, MP for Romford, on the future of the people of the Chagos Islands.
Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, responded to the statement on behalf of the opposition.
- Watch the Urgent Question on the future of the people of the Chagos Islands on Parliament TV
- Read Commons Hansard: Future of the people of the Chagos Islands
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Overseas territories
Related information
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
The Library has published a briefing paper on disputes over the British Indian Ocean Territory which contains more information.
About Urgent Questions
At times MPs may want to put an urgent question to a Minister. If a matter of public importance has arisen, which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to the Speaker to put forward such a question.
The relevant government department would be informed at once.
If the Speaker agrees, the question will be asked after that day’s Question Time.
Once the MP has asked the main question, they are allowed to ask a supplementary question. Other MPs will then be called to ask further questions on the same subject.
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