§ Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) what is the total liability outstanding owed to the Pacific Phosphate Company by the British Government under the 1920 agreement;
(2) if he will publish figures for each year of the agreement with the Pacific Phosphate Company showing the net financial result as far as British firms are concerned.
Mr. TaneyThere is no amount owing to the Pacific Phosphate Company whose rights to the phosphates on Nauru and Ocean Island were acquired by the British, Australian and New Zealand Governments on payment of compensation in 1920. The subsequent arrangements for management of the phosphates are described in Command Paper 1985 of April 1963, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.