§ Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a further statement about the future of Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn my reply to the hon. Member on 6th June I announced the Government's decision to transfer Christmas Island to the Commonwealth of Australia. This transfer will take some time to effect, since legislation is needed both in Australia and in this country. The island will, however, be detached from Singapore by an Order in Council made by Her Majesty in Council on 13th December and, as an interim measure, will be administered as a separate dependency of the United Kingdom. It is proposed that the Order should be brought into effect on the 1st January, 1958, when the promised sum of 20 million Malayan dollars will be paid overex gratia to the Government of Singapore.