TNAG-0597-FCO40-744-Future-of-Dependent-Territories-territorial-studies-1977 — Page 100

BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY (BIOT)

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established by an Order-in-Council in 1965 from outer islands of Mauritius and Seychelles. The Territory now comprises the islands of the Chagos Archipelago. The main islands are Diego Garcia, Salomon and Feros Banhos, lying approximately 2,000 miles east of Mombasa. Until 1976 BIOT also included the islands of Aldabra, Desroches and Farquhar, which reverted to the Seychelles on that country's independence. The former inhabitants of BIOT contract workers and their families were transferred to

Mauritius or Seychelles.

The Commissioner for the Territory is Mr P R A Mansfield, Assistant Under-Secretary at the FCO, who is responsible to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The Administrator is Mr M K Ewans, Head of East African Department,

FCO.

The Commissioner is represented on the island of Diego Garcia by the Officer Commanding the Royal Navy detachment there who is responsible for ensuring that certain local civilian functions such as those relating to law and order are discharged.

In a published Exchange of Notes with the United States Government in 1966 (CMND 3231), the Territory was made available to meet the defence needs of the United Kingdom and US Governments, the agreement to run for an initial period of 50 years. There was a further Exchange of Notes (CMND 5160) in 1972 concerning the establishment of a limited US Naval Communication facility on Diego Garcia. In February 1976 this was superseded by an Exchange (CMND 6413), allowing for the controlled expansion of the facility.