§ Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to compensate adequately the Banaban islanders following their forcible evacuation from Banaba to Fiji, taking into account that their home is now uninhabitable after the exploiting of phosphate deposits.
§ Mr. Luard:The Banabans, who in 1947 freely voted to make Rabi Island in Fiji their home, have since 1973 received phosphate royalties of over Australian dollars 14 million. To secure their economic future, the British, Australian and New Zealand Governments last year made them an ex-gratia offer of Australian dollars 10 million. The British Phosphate Commissioners also made an offer of Australian dollars 1.25 million. We have invited the Banaban 187W leaders to discuss with us further possibilities of assistance for the Banaban community, particularly in developing Banaba and Rabi Islands.