§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a timetable has now been agreed for the negotiations leading up to the independence of the Gilbert Islands; whether a date has been fixed for the customary constitutional conference; and whether the Banabans will be invited to participate in that conference.
§ Mr. LuardNo timetable for negotiations or date for a constitutional conference, at which a date for the Gilbert Islands' independence will be determined, has yet been fixed. As my right hon. Friend declared in his statement of 27th May 1977 Banaban representatives will be asked to the conference.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that Christmas Island will remain an integral part of the Gilbert Islands after their independence.
§ Mr. LuardUntil independence Christmas Island will remain an integral part of the Gilbert Islands; after independence the matter would be one for the people and Government of the Gilbert Islands.