§ 21. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent to the Mauritius Government Servants' Association's demand for an increase of war bonus of 75 per cent. on the lowest salaries to 50 per cent. on the highest; and whether he is aware that the prices of staple foods are still increasing and many servants of the Mauritius Government are being driven into indebtedness.
Mr. Creech JonesThe Mauritius Government Servants' and Employees Association were informed that I would be prepared to consider their request when I had received the Governor's recommendations. I have now approved the Governor's recommendations for an increase in the rate of the cost-of-living bonus based on the latest local cost-of-living indices. While the Governor has not found it possible to recommend the rates demanded by the association, the revised rates, which will be paid with retrospective effect to the 1st January last, range from 85 per cent. on the lowest salaries to a bonus of 50 rupees a month on the highest salaries affected.