§ 29. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what immediate steps are being taken by the Government of Mauritius to implement the scale of salaries as discussed and agreed upon by the Mauritius Secondary Schools Teachers' Union; and what is the official policy on the question of pension.
§ Mr. CookThe Government of Mauritius intend to introduce the agreed salary scales for non-Government secondary schools, to which I assume that my hon. Friend is referring, when the system of grants made by Government to these schools has been reviewed and established on a new basis related to the new salary scales. It is hoped that this will be before the current financial year ends on 30th June. No formal proposals have been made by the union on the question of pension, and official policy on this question has not yet been formulated.
§ Mr. RankinIs my hon. Friend aware that Government grant is being paid to non-Government schools and that that grant is paid without any conditions attached at all to its payment with regard to the salary level and the pension conditions of teachers?
§ Mr. CookI should make it clear that the Government of Mauritius have a list of "Approved" secondary schools. They are independent, but are paid a grant in aid by the Government. At 31st December there were nine such schools. I would refer my hon. Friend to my first reply.