§ 31. Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on the future of the British Phosphates Commission; and if he will give an undertaking not to sanction any agreement governing the future management of the mining of phosphates on Ocean Island which is not acceptable to the Banabans who own the land on Ocean Island.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe future of the British Phosphate Commissioners would be a matter for discussion between the three partner Governments of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. While I cannot give an undertaking in the very wide terms suggested by my hon. Friend, I can assure him that we would not agree to any new arrangements which would prejudice the existing rights of the landowners on Ocean Island.