§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked the Secretary for the Colonies, whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the indentured coolies in Mauritius prefer prison to plantation work; and will he say whether the charges this condition of affairs involves fall entirely on the revenues of the island?
Mr. HARCOURTI understand that at one time coolies were inclined to prefer prison to work, but that this is no longer the case owing to alterations in the prison arrangements. The cost of the maintenance of prisoners in Mauritius is borne by colonial funds.