§ 72. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps were taken to seek the views of the inhabitants of the Cocos Islands before it was decided to transfer their administration to Australia; and why this matter was not referred to the Legislative Council of Singapore, under whose jurisdiction the islands have been up to now.
Mr. DugdaleAs my right hon. Friend indicated in his reply to my hon. Friend222W the Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 22nd June, the majority of the islanders have indicated during recent years their wish to emigrate to North Borneo, and emigration has been proceeding. It is the intention that all who wish to emigrate should have the opportunity of doing so before the islands are transferred, and we and the Australian Government have agreed that arrangements should be made to this end.
In these circumstances, the islanders were not consulted beforehand about the proposed transfer. The Governor of Singapore consulted the unofficial members of the Legislative Council who agreed unanimously with the proposal and suggested certain conditions regarding the future status of the remaining islanders, which the Australian Government has readily accepted.