HC Deb 27 January 1966 vol 723 c108W
78. Mr. Brian Harrison

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made concerning the development of copra planting on Christmas Island; and what estimate she has made of the possibility of resettling the islands of the Phoenix Group.

Mrs. White

A recent survey of Christmas Island indicates that about 6,000 acres may be suitable for development, but no firm conclusion can be reached until the results of analysis of soil, water and coconut leaf samples are available.

The survey team also visited Hull, Gardner and Sydney Islands in the Phoenix Group and recommended that a group of copra cutters could profitably be sent to Hull Island. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Administration does not however consider that the resettlement of these islands, two of which were evacuated as recently as 1964 because of drought, is a reasonable possibility.

Forward to