§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will accord the Banaban people, through their elected representative Council, the control of the expenditure of the ex gratia offer made to them in compensation for the damage to their island homeland.
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, we have proposed to the Banabans that the ex gratia offer of 10 million Australian dollars to provide for the future of the Banaban community should be discussed through legal channels, and they have welcomed the suggestion. Her Majesty's Government have no wish to be involved in the administration of the fund once it has been established.
§ Lord BROCKWAYMy Lords, while appreciating that reply, and being a little surprised by it, may I ask whether the ex gratia payment of £6¼ million is not a fraction of the benefit which Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand have received from the phosphates that have been supplied? Will Her Majesty's Government resist any idea of appointing a trust fund from which the Banabans would receive only interest, rather than having control of this fund by the capable, elected representatives of the Banaban people?
§ Baroness LLEWELYN-DAVIES of HASTOEMy Lords, I have already said that Her Majesty's Government have no interest at all in administering the 700 fund once it has been set up, but I would remind my noble friend that the Rabi Council has just changed hands and that of the old Council only two members are left. There might possibly be a difference of view, therefore. There might quite easily not be, but that is something we have to consider.