§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if unable to give an estimate of the quantity or value of the guano phosphate on Ocean Island in 1901, will he give the latest and most accurate estimate the Colonial Office has got, and say when it was made; and whether on behalf of the Phosphate Company or independently?
Mr. HARCOURTI have not received any estimate of the probable quantity, or value, of the phosphates on Ocean Island.
§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the date of the British annexation of Ocean Island, in the Western Pacific, and the date upon which the British flag was first hoisted there; and if he will give the official explanation of the delay in this ceremony?
Mr. HARCOURTOcean Island became part of Her late Majesty's territories on 2nd October, 1900, the date of the first licence to the Pacific Islands Company. The company had previously hoisted the British flag when they first occupied the island. A formal hoisting of the flag by a naval officer took place on 28th September, 1901, it having been found impossible to arrange for a visit of a man-of-war before that date.
§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office is supplied with information from Ocean Island similar to that obtained from other Crown Colonies; and, if so, whether he will state the number of deaths from starvation on that island since it became under British rule; the number of natives imprisoned in that time for alleged theft of food and other offences arising from want; the number imprisoned for inability to pay food taxes; the number deprived of their lands for the same cause; and the total number flogged in connection with want of food and nonpayment of food tax?
Mr. HARCOURTThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no reason to believe that any natives of Ocean Island have died from starvation; I am not aware whether any natives have been imprisoned for theft. I have no ground for supposing that any 843W natives have been imprisoned or deprived of their lands, or flogged for non-payment of taxes.