§ 50. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement regarding the appointment of a Commissioner for the Government of Mauritius and the opening of an office in London to look after the interests of the Colony in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HareAs the hon. Member is aware, sugar accounts for 97 per cent. of Mauritius' exports and the industry has its own representative in London. The hon. Member's suggestion was brought to the attention of the Governor who has informed my right hon. Friend that the other main concern of the Mauritius Government in this country is the interests and welfare of its students and a re-organisation of the present arrangements in this field is now under consideration.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Labour Party in Mauritius, the biggest single party and the majority party in the Legislative Council, is not satisfied with the position? Is he aware that I am glad that he is considering this matter, because the people there want someone in a London office to publicise what is happening in the Colony, particularly when the Government of the day have this iniquitous proposal of proportional representation in the new Constitution?
§ Mr. HareI cannot agree with the hon. Member that the proposals now being considered are iniquitous. When some Ministerial system is introduced in Mauritius it may be that that will be the proper time to consider what the hon. Member has in mind.