HC Deb 03 March 1959 vol 601 c195
27. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when an economic survey of Mauritius will be carried out.

Mr. J. Amery

This matter is under consideration by the Government of Mauritius, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Wall

As my hon. Friend has previously stated that emigration is no solution to the problems of Mauritius, will my hon. Friend agree that economic development becomes of increasing importance, and can he say whether the World Bank has been asked to carry out or will be asked to carry out any special survey?

Mr. Amery

I will certainly look into the point my hon. Friend has made.

Mr. J. Johnson

Is the Minister aware that the Luce Committee found over 20,000 unemployed in the island, which is almost ten times the number given to me in answers by Ministers during the last year or two? In view of this unemployment, does not the hon. Gentleman think that we need an economic survey and that there should be diversification of the economy in order to mop up the unemployment?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir; we consider, and so do the Government of Mauritius, that an economic survey is of the greatest importance, more particularly for the longterm economic development of the island.