§ Sir B. FALLEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information as to the Turtle Islands, which have recently come under the flag of the United States of America though remaining under our administration; where exactly these islands are situated and the reasons for transfer; and if any payment or equivalent was given?
§ Mr. DALTONYes, Sir. The Turtle Islands are a group of seven islands situated in the bays of Sandakan and Labuk off the east coast of North Borneo. The islands are inhabited by some 220 natives, who are mainly migrants from North Borneo, and are planted with cocoanut trees and crops usual to native occupation. The annual revenue is $4,000. In pursuance of an agreement of 10th July, 1907, in respect of a boundary line between North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago, the United States temporarily waived their rights to all islands off the east coast of Borneo situated to the south and west of an agreed line, but without prejudice to a final delimitation of the boundary between the two territories. The British North Borneo Company, who administer the islands, have no legal title to them, and a request made by the United States Government for their transfer to the United States was consequently acceded to. The boundary line fixed by the above-mentioned agreement of 1907 has, therefore, been re-adjusted by a Convention signed in Washington on 2nd1710W January, 1930, and the islands have been included in the Philippine Archipelago. No payment or equivalent has been given, but owing to the proximity of the islands to North Borneo, the United States Government, by a supplementary agreement, leave the British North Borneo Company undisturbed in the administration of the islands, unless or until the United States Government give notice to His Majesty's Government of their desire that the administration of the islands shall be transferred to them. The Convention and the supplementary agreement will in due course be published as a White Paper, and submitted to the House for ratification.