§ Lord Melchettasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received a formal request from Mr. A. M. Ratcliff to occupy Henderson Island in the South Pacific; what terms and conditions Mr. Ratcliff has proposed for his occupancy; what representations about this proposal they have received; what advice they have received from the Nature Conservancy Council about this proposal; whether they agree with the view expressed in the International Biological Programme's Report in 1968 that Henderson Island should be preserved as an "island for science"; and when they expect to reach a decision on Mr. Ratcliff's proposals.
§ Lord BelsteadWe have received a request from Mr. A. M. Ratcliff for permission to reside upon Henderson Island in the Pitcairn Group. The exact terms and conditions for any such occupancy have not been determined. Mr. Ratcliff has proposed that, in return for granting the right for himself and his dependants to live on Henderson Island, he would donate U.S. $1 million to Pitcairn Islands funds and would provide the islanders with certain other facilities, such as transport. We are giving the proposal full and careful consideration, in consultation with the Island Council. We have received representations from various conservation groups, including the Nature Conservancy Council, who have urged us to take environmental factors into consideration, which we shall do. A solution in the best overall interests of the Pitcairn Islands and the islanders themselves is still being sought.