Pitcairn Island (Hansard, 19 July 1982)

§ Lord McNair
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Belstead)
My Lords, the Governor has reported on his recent visit to Pitcairn Island. During the visit, on the 11th to the 18th of June, the Governor discussed with the Island Council numerous matters of current interest and matters concerning the island's future development. These will form the subject of considered recommendations by the Council to the Governor.

§ Lord McNair
My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer so far as it goes, may I hope to get a little more information out of him meanwhile? In particular, may I ask him about the money? Does he remember that his noble friend Lord Trefgarne told us on 9th March that their investment portfolio now has a current market value of three-quarters of a million pounds? is the noble Lord aware that recently a consignment of supplies and equipment destined for Pitcairn Island was lost in a shipboard fire—an apparently uninsurable loss—and that when the Island Council was considering whether to apply to the Commissioner for money to replace this order they decided not to, on the grounds that they did not want to seem to "scrounge"? Can the noble Lord assure the House that the three-quarters of a million pounds really belongs to the Pitcairn islanders and they know it, and would it not be sensible to put a fraction of this—perhaps I per cent.—into a float or a petty cash fund which the Island Council could use at its sole discretion, without any fear of being thought to "scrounge"?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, the sum of money which the noble Lord, Lord McNair, has mentioned—indeed, over three-quarters of a million pounds—is in fact from income from the sale of postage stamps and has become this very substantial investment which, I confirm, is the property of the Island Council. The actual portfolio is handled by the Crown Agents. As to the specific point which the noble Lord puts to me about keeping a small float of the money ready for contingencies, I wonder whether I might look at this and perhaps take advice, and also consult the Governor and take his advice.

§ Lord Kennet
My Lords, does the Minister remember that the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, on 9th March also told us that new telecommunications equipment was to arrive on the island early the following month; that is, April? Should we be right in assuming that it has not yet arrived, and can the noble Lord say when it will arrive and what it will do when it gets there?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, the appropriate type of radio equipment has been chosen. It is hoped to complete the tendering process by August and to place a firm order in September. When the equipment is in place it will represent a voice-to-voice instead of a Morse link between the Island Council and the administrator in Auckland, New Zealand.

§ Lord Kennet
My Lords, is there not a startling discrepancy between April and a tender accepted in August and an order placed in September?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, that is a perfectly fair point. We should have liked to conclude this very much more swiftly, but the type of equipment which was found to be needed cannot be bought off-the-shelf.

§ Baroness Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe
My Lords, could the noble Lord confirm that the recent British Nationality Act has deprived the islanders of their British nationality? How will that affect their future development? Could he also say whether there is any news about a possible extension to the landing strip?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, so far as British citizenship is concerned, the Pitcairn islanders will acquire British Dependent Territory citizenship on the commencement of the British Nationality Act. Under the Act, this will give them rights of residence in the United Kingdom; but I am bound to say to the noble Baroness that the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island do not show the slightest desire to become residents of the United Kingdom. They appear to be contented with their life on the island.
So far as the airstrip is concerned, the island has been visited—indeed I am not sure that he is not still there—by a New Zealand Army officer, Major Jason-Smith, who has been there to organise repairs to the jetty. If he has time, I am advised that he intends to look at the airstrip proposal and the possibilities of a seaplane service.

§ Baroness Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe
My Lords, while being most grateful for the last piece of information, may I ask whether the noble Lord is not aware that there is great disquiet and disappointment; and there have been many talks on the radio in England about the Pitcairn islanders losing their British nationality?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, I repeat that when the British Nationality Act comes into force, the Pitcairn islanders will acquire British Dependent Territory citizenship. It gives British Dependent Territory citizens rights of residence in the United Kingdom. But I repeat yet again—because the message, with 619 respect, does not seem to have gone home—that this is not what the Pitcairn islanders require.

Viscount St. Davids
My Lords, may I say that on a matter of pure information there was some surprise? If the Governor does not reside on the island, can the noble Lord say where he does reside?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, the Governor is Sir Richard Stratton, who is our High Commissioner in New Zealand. He is resident in New Zealand and he paid this visit, which is in fact the first Governor's visit since 1976, from the 11th to the 18th June.

§ Lord Brockway
My Lords, does the Minister agree that his original reply did not tell us much more than that discussions are proceeding? Can he give us any indication when these discussions are likely to conclude, and can he say whether a statement will be made to this House when they are?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, I must apologise to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, and, indeed, to the noble Lord, Lord McNair, who asked the original Question, if I have inadvertently misled the House. The situation is that the Governor, in paying his visit had two discussions with the Island Council. As the original reply said, during those discussions numerous matters of current interest, and matters concerning the island's future development, were discussed. There is no secret about them, but these are matters primarily between the Island Council and the Governor because they will involve, in some cases, the expenditure of money. If there is anything further that I can say on these matters, I certainly wish to do so. I would not be averse, in the least, to writing a letter to the noble Lord, Lord McNair, and copying it to the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, if that would help. These are not secrets, but I do not think I can add a great deal more across the Floor of the House to help noble Lords today.

§ Lord McNair
My Lords, perhaps in conclusion I may ask the noble Lord about two specific points. First, on the reservoir, as I am sure the noble Lord is aware, in the last year they have had a water crisis on the island, in spite of their abundant rainfall. This is because they have no way of storing water. Does the noble Lord agree that all that seems to be needed is a simple reservoir, such as one has on many farms? Would it be possible for Major Jason-Smith, if he is still there, to advise them on how to construct this and what material to order? Lastly, is the noble Lord aware of what one might call the Henderson Island project, which involves the construction of an airstrip on Henderson Island, which is relatively near, and which would not use up all the arable land on Pitcairn Island? If the noble Lord is aware of this project, which I believe the Governor discussed with the Island Council, can he tell us whether Her Majesty's Government would regard it with sympathy if the islanders proceeded?

§ Lord Belstead
My Lords, as regards the important first point concerning water storage, Major Jasonsmith 620 was asked, if he had time, to look at any other technical problems which the islanders may have. So far as putting an airstrip on Henderson Island is concerned, the only person I know of who wishes to be on Henderson Island at the moment is an American millionaire who has said that he wants to live there, and the Island Council have agreed. So I think that that point does not help with the airstrip problem.