§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation of the Banaban population in Fiji; what compensation has been paid to the Banaban people by Her Majesty's Government since 1981; and what part Her Majesty's Government have played in the environmental rehabilitation of the island of Banaba. [14994]
§ Mr. HanleyThe Banaban community, based principally on the island of Rabi in Fiji, participate fully in Fiji's civil affairs. Its people retain links with their home island, where some still live, which is now part of the Republic of Kiribati. The Banabans enjoy special constitutional safeguards in both Fiji and Kiribati.
582WNo payments have been made since the ex gratia 14.5 million Australian dollars compensation settlement by the British Phosphate Commission in 1981. Her Majesty's Government have played no part in Banaba's environmental rehabilitation since 1981, as this remains the responsibility of the Kiribati Government.