§ MR. BOLANDTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of troops stationed in Mauritius during each of the last twelve years, the expenditure incurred for the maintenance of the garrison, the contributions of the Colony towards that expenditure, and the value of goods imported annually during the same period in Mauritius, free of Customs duty, for the use of the military; and whether he will set these figures out in tabular form.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The following are the figures, so far as I can give them:—
§ The year taken is the financial year ending on 31st March. The number of troops is the authorised establishment, with which the actual strength would approximately agree, except in the years 1899–1902, in which the average actual strength is given in italics. The cost of maintenance of the garrison does not include capital expenditure upon works and buildings, but includes the variable item of Government stores shipped to the Colony. The contribution shown is the amount actually paid by the Colony in respect of the financial year, irrespective of date of payment. I regret that I am unable to give figures for value of goods imported free.
§ MR. BOLANDTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the passing of the local Ordinances, 26 of 1895, 33 of 1897, and 6 of 1900, dealing with the contribution of Mauritius towards the maintenance of Imperial troops stationed in the island led to an increase in such contribution, and that, as a consequence, new sources of revenue had to be found; and can he state what was the amount of taxation, direct and indirect, occasioned by the passing of those Ordinances, respectively.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The following are the sums assessed and actually paid by Mauritius as military contributions during the years 1890–98:—
| Calendar Year. | Assessed. | Paid. |
| £ | £ | |
| 1890 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| 1891 | 25,000 | 19,729 |
| 1892 | 25,000 | 9,389 |
| 1893 | 30,000 | 14,701 |
| 1894 | 30,000 | 13,805 |
| 1895 | 22,834 | 14,906 |
| 1896 | 23,695 | 21,395 |
| 1897 | 20,754 | 20,754 |
| 1898 | 20,755 | 20,755 |
§ The short payments in the years 1891–95 are due partly to remissions granted by the Imperial Government on account of the epidemic of 1891 and the hurricane of 1892, and partly to the refusal of the Colony to vote the necessary supplies. The Ordinance of 1895 substituted for the former mode of assessment a military contribution of 5 per cent. of revenue, but provided for the deduction from revenue of certain receipts. As the arrangement with the Imperial Government was for 5 per cent. on gross revenue, the Ordinance of 1897 was passed, maintaining deductions, but putting the rate at 5½ per cent. The Ordinance of 1900 dealt with the rebate of Customs duties allowed to His Majesty's troops, as is usual in British Colonies, in respect of canteen supplies, etc., imported. It substituted a fixed sum for a grant per head of the troops, at the urgent desire of the Colony, in view of the increasing strength of the garrison. As that increase brought with it increased Customs on goods imported, the change was doubtless advantageous to the Colony. I have no information as to taxation in Mauritius, but the facts do not appear to bear out the hon. Member's suggestion. Mauritius makes a far smaller military contribution, in proportion to its revenue and to the cost of its garrison, than other Eastern Colonies.