§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is the fact that the Revenue of the Mauritius is mainly derived from Customs and Licences, the chief part of which falls on the general population, of which more than two-thirds are Indians; whether, under the present Constitution, the Crown, through ex officio and nominated Members, is still able to exercise a preponderating influence, while the Indian population is very little represented; and, whether, under these circumstances, the Secretary of State will use the influence of the Crown to secure the fair treatment of the Indians in the matter of elementary education?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)A great part of the Revenue of Mauritius is derived from Customs and Licences. The Indians, forming more than two-thirds of the population, no doubt contribute largely to the Revenue from these sources. At the present time, the elected Members and the nominated Members who are not public officers constitute the majority of the Council of Government. The Crown is, therefore, unable to exercise a preponderating influence. At the only election which has yet been held under the now Constitution very few Indians 587 voted. One of the nominated Members of the Council is an Indian. The Secretary of State will do all in his power to obtain more adequate provision for the elementary education of the Indians.