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<p>The feasibility study has now begun in earnest and the British Indian Ocean Territory
(BIOT) Administration continue to welcome views on it. Since the summer of 2013, BIOT
officials have carried out three consultations, receiving responses from all major
groups representing Chagossians and others with an interest. There will be further
key consultation as the study progresses. We have also consulted with the Governments
of the United States, Seychelles and Mauritius.</p><p>In November, the Senior Minister
of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness
Warsi, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to look at this issue transparently
in response to the Chagos Islands (BIOT) All Party Parliamentary Group's (APPG) debate
in the House of Lords. I have exchanged several letters with the Chair of the Chagos
Islands (BIOT) APPG about the study and I have also discussed the study with the Mauritian
Foreign Minister during a meeting at the African Union Summit in January. I subsequently
wrote to the Mauritian Foreign Minister inviting the Mauritian Government's engagement,
which they have declined.</p>
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