HC Deb 27 July 1955 vol 544 cc1164-5
10. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement on the progress of negotiations with the Mauritian delegation regarding constitutional changes.

Mr. Hopkinson

The discussions with the members of the Mauritius Legislative Council representing the Mauritius Labour Party, the Mauritian Party and nominated members, which began on 12th July, were concluded by my right hon. Friend on the 22nd. Agreement was reached on a number of proposals designed to improve and strengthen the machinery of government, on the need for a change in the status and powers of the present liaison officers, and on the appointment of a Speaker for the Legislative Council from outside the island.

There remained differences of opinion among the Mauritian representatives on certain other proposals, including an increase in the membership of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, whether the portfolio holders should be called "Members" or "Ministers," and the introduction of universal adult suffrage. These proposals will be further considered in the light of the views expressed during discussion and the views of Her Majesty's Government will be conveyed to the Governor at as early a date as possible.

Mr. Brockway

May I again thank the right hon. Gentleman for that very full reply? May I ask him whether it is the case that the representatives of the Mauritius Labour Party, which has thirteen out of the nineteen elected Members, were in favour of universal suffrage for Mauritius; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will bear in mind the fact that the overwhelmingly dominant opinion in the Legislative Council desires adult suffrage in the island?

Mr. Hopkinson

I prefer at this stage not to go into details of the various proposals which were submitted during the course of these talks, at which I was present throughout. Of course, universal adult suffrage was one point which it was well known the Mauritius Labour Party favoured, but we believe that the question of constitutional advance in Mauritius has to be looked at as a whole. Our aim is to do so by providing more responsibility for the unofficial Members, with the appropriate safeguards for the very large minority groups, and we want to do so in such a way as to lessen racial tension and bring about the disappearance of the differences between the various groups.

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