§ 3 p.m.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what decision they have reached in response to the advice of the Vice-Chancellor in the case of the Banabans against the Crown, that the Crown should do what it considers proper in view of the fact that the Vice-Chancellor was powerless to right what he considered to be a wrong.
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government have for some time been concerned about the future welfare of the islands in this part of the Pacific, and specifically the future of the Banaban community. We have 232 for long intended to help the Banabans, subject to the results of the legal actions. Her Majesty's Government's thinking has not therefore been essentially at variance with the Vice-Chancellor's remarks about obligations towards the Banabans. We have had a number of discussions with the partner Governments of Australia and New Zealand and we put certain proposals to them last year to help the Banabans secure their future after phosphate revenues end. Our partners responded sympathetically but indicated that it would be difficult in practice to reach firm conclusions in advance of the judgments.
Our thinking and discussions have been, and will continue to be, conducted in close consultation with the Governments of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Gilbert Islands and the Banaban leaders. Our aim is to achieve as soon as possible a settlement which takes account of the legitimate interests of all the parties concerned in the area, including the Banabans.
To assist in achieving such a solution, including its constitutional aspects, I am arranging for Mr. Richard Posnett, the former Governor of Belize, to visit the area as soon as possible and to report directly to me.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I greatly appreciate that reply which removes some of the doubts which were occasioned by an article published in the Guardian last week, although that paper is so often reliable. In view of the fact that these people have, admittedly, been exploited in the interests of Australia, New Zealand and this country, and the fact that their beautiful island has been devasted as though it were the surface of the moon, will Her Majesty's Government press upon the Governments of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, to do everything possible, with themselves, to remove the appalling suffering of these people?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, my Lords. It is our firm intention and our not inconsiderable hope that we can lead an action which will settle these outstanding questions.
§ Lord SHINWELLMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that an impression is gaining currency that the Government 233 seek to evade their responsibility by passing the buck to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and other countries? Has there not been a gross active injustice to the Ocean Islanders, and should it not be corrected immediately by providing adequate finance?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSMy Lords, there is no question of the Government evading responsibility. It is a question of identifying responsibility, and I shall not allow this country to be pilloried on its own for the mistakes of the past. I am anxious that it should play its full part—indeed, perhaps more than its full part—in rectifying as far as possible with others concerned the enormities of past colonial policy.
§ Lord ELTONMy Lords, would the noble Lord go further and confirm that the responsibility rests outside the Government of the Gilbert Islands, as the Banabans are subjects to the Gilbert Islands Government, and also that recourse will not be had to them for compensation? As this injustice has gone on for a long time, like Question Time, will he take steps to ensure that it is wound up as effectively as the noble Lord the Leader of this House has wound up Question Time?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSThe only possible answer to that question is, "Yes, my Lords".
§ Lord LEE of NEWTONMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that those of us who have been concerned with this matter are very grateful indeed for the reply that we have received today from him? We hope that it will result in a very fair and proper settlement for the Banabans. Is he also aware that, no matter what that settlement may be, within a few years there will be no phosphates left on Ocean Island? Therefore, is he taking into account that for revenues the Gilbertese are very dependent on their phosphates? Will he ensure that their plight is also looked after?
§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTSYes, indeed, my Lords. I am very grateful to my noble friend, who is a former Colonial Secretary, for pointing out that not only the Banabans, deserving as they may be, are concerned in this matter, 234 but that we have a responsibility for the Gilbertese and others in the Pacific Islands, and that we also have a responsibility to be fair to all concerned, not least this country.