HC Deb 07 July 1960 vol 626 c667
3. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about his talks with the Mauritius Ministerial delegation.

10. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Ministerial delegation from Mauritius regarding further post-cyclone assistance for the island.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The Ministerial delegation from Mauritius has had a series of valuable discussions with me and with officials of my Department. I am now in touch with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the conclusions reached in these discussions, and I hope to be able to make a statement next week.

Mr. Wall

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these discussions will be confined to economic matters or will extend to other matters as well?

Mr. Macleod

They are almost entirely confined to the question of post-cyclone rehabilitation and the contribution of the Government to it.

Mr. Thomson

Will the Minister remind his right hon. Friend that 100,000 people were made homeless in Mauritius? I understand that on the advice of the Minister's own housing expert 25,000 houses are needed. Will the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. Friend to be generous, despite the financial stringency imposed by the Treasury?

Mr. Macleod

I am sure that these considerations which have been very much in my mind are also in the mind of my right hon. Friend.