HC Deb 31 January 1957 vol 563 cc1142-4
4. Mr. Brockway

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will arrange for a grant from United Kingdom Government funds towards an Australian Government fund to help 1,000 aborigines reported by a Western Australian Parliamentary Select Committee to be suffering from malnutrition, blindness and disease and who have been denied the use of a large area of tribal land because it is in the proximity of Maralinga atomic testing ground, in view of the fact that this area has been used by the United Kingdom Government.

8. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that a large area of tribal hunting ground of aborigines in Western Australia has been denied them, because of British atomic testing at Maralinga, and that this is causing near famine to some 1,000 of these people; and whether he will take steps to see that Her Majesty's Government make some financial aid to the Australian Government for the purpose of rehabilitating this tribe.

Mr. Alport

I am not aware of the establishment of any special fund by any Australian Government, either State or Commonwealth, for the purpose mentioned, and certainly no request has been made to the United Kingdom Government on this matter. The welfare of Australian aboriginal natives is a domestic matter for the Australian Governments concerned. However, as the Maralinga atomic testing ground has been mentioned, I should like to make it clear that there is no evidence that the establishment of this testing ground or of the Woomera Range for the testing of guided missiles has had any adverse effect on the aboriginals. In particular, the Australian Minister of Supply has stated that the tribal grounds have not been denied to the natives because of the establishment of these test ranges.

Mr. Brockway

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he has read the Report of the Parliamentary Select Committee of the Western Australian Government? Has he seen the reference in it to the lost traditional hunting grounds? Has he read the phrase: One thousand Aborigines are so beset by hunger and disease that they are living under the worst conditions in the world"? Is there any agreement between the British Government and the Australian Government that aborigines who suffer as a result of our atomic experiments in Australia shall be compensated?

Mr. Alport

I must emphasise that this is a matter for the domestic policy of the Australian Government. I have seen the documents to which the hon. Member refers, but I think it is clear from his remarks that he has not seen the statement made by the Australian Minister of Supply, Mr. Beale, on this subject, and I will send him a copy.

Mr. Johnson

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that this situation has caused much anxiety both here and overseas, and that I shall be pleased to let him have a number of newspaper cuttings dealing with this matter from newspapers in this country and overseas? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware also that we have a moral obligation in this matter, since this is our bomb-testing ground? I would beg him to look again into this question, because there is other opinions besides that of the Minister in Australia.

Mr. Alport

These are not our bomb-testing grounds. The area in question is a part of Australia, under the sovereignty of Australia, and the problems therein must be dealt with by the Australian Government. I will certainly send to the hon. Gentleman a copy of the statement that I promised to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway).

Mr. J. Griffiths

The Minister has said that the area is Australian territory under the sovereignty of the Australian Government, but the tests are conducted for this Government and for this country. Surely we accept the obligation that if, in the land inhabited by these native people, we cause damage or injury to them, we are under a moral obligation which we ought to accept?

Mr. Alport

These are citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Commonwealth of Australia Government are perfectly capable of looking after their interests.

Mr. Brockway

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of this unsatisfactory reply—[HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."]—I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.