§ 11. Mr. McSHANEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can now state the personnel of the financial commission to Mauritius and the terms of reference?
§ Dr. SHIELSThe Mauritius Financial Commission will consist of Sir Ivo Elliott, Bart., of the Indian Civil Service, who will preside over the Commission, and Mr. N. G. Loughnane, C.B., a member of the Home Civil Service. With my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate a copy of the terms of reference in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. McSHANEWhen will the Commission begin its work?
§ Dr. SHIELSIt left England to-day.
Following are the Terms of Reference:To investigate the financial position of Mauritius in the light of the Colony's economic resources and to report thereon: to advise as to the specific measures to be adopted to reduce expenditure and/or increase local revenue in order to secure and maintain a balancd Budget without loss of administrative efficiency or with the minimum loss of such efficiency and without undue risk of prejudicing future development or future revenue prospects; if a balanced Budget cannot be secured without serious loss of administrative efficiency or serious risk of prejudicing future development or future revenue prospects, to advise as to which of the specific measures referred to above would have to be omitted to avoid these results: to advise what measures should be taken to reduce the burden on the general revenues of the Colony in respect of the Government Railways: and to advise on the desirability, from the 2065 financial and economic point of view, of completing the irrigation schemes which have been started in the Colony and of undertaking other schemes of development.