§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what agreement has been reached between the British Phosphate Commission and the Rabi Council of Leaders regarding certain unmined areas of Banaba being handed back to the Banabans for resettlement.
§ Mr. LuardWe understand that in December 1978 the British phosphate commissioners acceded to a Banaban request to leave unmined certain lands which had been leased for mining.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations have been 173W made to the Gilbert Islands colony authorities on Banaba (Ocean Island) and to the British Phosphate Commission there by those members of the Rabi Council of Leaders who have been visiting the island.
§ Mr. LuardWe understand that they have requested the British Phosphate Commission to cease mining.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the value of the unmined phosphate deposits on Banaba (Ocean Island); and when mining will cease.
§ Mr. LuardInformation on the value is not readily available to the British Government. Mining is expected to cease towards the end of this year.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the last shipment of Ocean Island phosphate will be made; and whether a date has been fixed for the winding up of British Phosphate Commission activities on Banaba.
§ Mr. LuardIt is expected that the last shipment of phosphate will be made towards the end of this year and that the British phosphate commissioners activities on Banaba will be wound up shortly afterwards.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the condition of the moorings and other apparatus used by the British Phosphate Commission on Banaba in respect of phosphate shipments; and whether any plans have been made to ensure that they are in working order after the termination of British Phosphate Commission operations on Ocean Island.
§ Mr. LuardThe moorings and other apparatus currently operated by the British phosphate commissioners on Banaba are in usable condition. We know of no plans at present to maintain them once the British Phosphate Commission operations on Ocean Island cease, but this matter will be kept under consideration.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any agreement has been reached between the Governments of the United Kingdom, Australia and New 174W Zealand regarding the final share-out of the British Phosphate Commission's Nauru fund.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by the other partner Governments in the British Phosphate Commission to Her Majesty's Government regarding the payment of the ex gratia sum of A$10 million and the accrued interest; and whether they have suggested a round table conference between all the partner Governments and the Banabans.
§ Mr. LuardWe have been in regular contact with the Australian and New Zealand Governments in regard to the matter. There has been no suggestion for a round table conference.