§ Mr. BOLANDto ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the names of the Commission appointed to inquire into the administration of Mauritius, and when the members of the Commission are to leave for Mauritius; can he state the terms of reference to the Commission; whether the reference is in accordance with the terms of the 563 resolution unanimously voted by the Legislative Council of Mauritius at a meeting held on the 2nd February; and can he state whether the expenses of the Commission are to be defrayed by the Imperial Government?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Commissioners are Sir F. A. Swettenham, the late Governor of the Straits Settlements; Sir R. L. O'Malley, formerly Chief Justice of British Guiana and Judge of the Consular Court at Constantinople; and Mr. H. B. Drysdale Woodcock, barrister-at-law. The Commissioners are directed by their Commission to make inquiry into the administrative and financial condition of the government of the Colony, particularly with a view to the introduction of economies, and to suggest such measures as may appear best calculated to restore and maintain the Colony's prosperity. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. The Commission will leave on May 22nd.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to lay upon the Table of the House the Papers in connection with the state of affairs in Mauritius since 1907; and, if so, whether these Papers will include the correspondence dealing with the financial position of the island, the recital of grievances against Mr. Cameron, the acting Colonial Secretary, the loans for improving the machinery of sugar factories, and the popular request for a Royal Commission?
§ Colonel SEELYAs I informed my hon. Friend on the 5th instant, it will not be possible to determine what Papers should be laid on the Table until the Report of the Commission has been received and considered.