§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the British Phosphate Commission urging the early settlement of the monetary payment to the Banabans due as a result of the judgment of the High Court in the case of Tito v. The British Phosphate Commission.
§ Mr. LuardMy right hon. Friend understands that discussions are at present in progress between legal representatives of the British Phosphate Commission and of the Banabans in the hope of an early disposal of those actions to which66W the Commission is a party. In these circumstances he sees no need for representations.
§ Mr. Leeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the Government are now prepared to make to the Vice-Chancellor's invitation to right a wrong done to the Banaban people, which he judged was not within the competence of the High Court in the case of Tito and others v. the Attorney-General.
§ Mr. LuardOn 27th May 1977 my right hon. Friend announced that the three partner Governments of the British Phosphate Commission were prepared to make available on anex-gratia basis, and without admitting any liability, a sum of 10 million Australian dollars to establish a fund for the Banabans' future.