§ 16. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the Fiji population is represented by Indians; and what is the present rate of increase of the Indian and Fijian peoples, respectively.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodAt the last census in 1956 the Indian population of 169,403 represented 49 per cent. of the total population. The Indian and Fijian populations during the same year showed increases of 41 per cent. and 26 per cent. respectively over the previous census in 1946.
§ Mr. HallDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that this very rapid increase in the Indian population, arising from the first introduction of Indian indentured labour, is likely to give rise to some 1242 problems between the races in the not-too-distant future? Can he suggest what action can be taken to ensure that that does not happen?
§ Mr. MacleodThe growth of the population to which my hon. Friend refers was one of the matters specially considered by the Burns Commission on which my hon. Friend has the next Question.