§ 1. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the consideration of further constitutional progress in Mauritius.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Profumo)None, Sir. Provision was made last July by Her Majesty in Council for changes in the constitution of Mauritius and these will be brought into full effect early in 1959. To suggest that still further changes should be considered before the current changes have been brought fully into effect, let alone given the necessary thorough trial, seems to me premature in the extreme.
§ Mr. BrockwayWhilst appreciating the advance which has been made, particularly in the introduction of single-Member constituencies, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware of the concern there is in Mauritius about the functioning of the new Executive Council and whether any Government which represents minority parties as well as majority parties can effectively administer that Colony? Will he try to remove this frustration before bitterness arises?
§ Mr. ProfumoI am aware of the caution with which the Executive Council is approaching its new responsibility. When I was there nothing more than apprehension about its new responsibility was expressed. My right hon. Friend is confident that a real step forward has been made and it should work.