§ 14. Mr. Peelasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for how long Gilbertese immigrants have been entering the Solomon Islands Protectorate; whether they have been doing it under a Government-sponsored scheme; and with what success.
§ Mr. ProfumoA colonial development and welfare pilot project was started in May, 1954. It proved successful and was expanded a year later and some 200 Gilbertese, mainly from Sydney Island in the Phoenix Group, are now living near Gizo in the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. A further 160 are expected shortly. A chain of partly planted islands near Gizo have been purchased to supplement the imcome of the present settlers and to provide room for expansion if necessary.
§ Mr. PeelCan my hon. Friend say whether these natives, who speak quite a different language from the people of the Solomon Islands and are a different type of people altogether, are getting on well with the Solomon Islanders and whether their health, which on their own island is completely free from all tropical diseases, has suffered at all in their new home?
§ Mr. ProfumoI have no reason to think so; in fact, they are going to return a member to the local rural district council.