10. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Under-secretary of State for the Colonies what action will be taken in Mauritius to establish social insurance schemes in respect of health, old age, widows, orphans, etc.; and whether the report of the recent committee will be taken as a basis for action?
Mr. WhiteleyProposals for the introduction of social insurance schemes in Mauritius raise administrative and financial questions of some difficulty, which are naturally complicated by war conditions. The proposals made in the Report of the Committee to which the hon. Member refers, are being studied, and I understand that the Governor has discussed them with the Secretary of State's Labour Adviser, Major Orde-Browne, who recently visited the Colony; but it is not possible yet to say what action will be taken on them.