§ 27. Mr. LI. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the rate of increase of population in Fiji for the Fijian and Indian population, respectively, at the last available estimate.
§ Mr. H. FraserAt the last census in 1956 the Fijian population was 148,134 and the Indian population 169,403. These figures showed increases of 26 per cent. and 41 per cent., respectively, over the previous census in 1946. Since 1956 it is estimated that the Fijian population has increased by a further 13 per cent. and the Indian population by a further 17 per cent.
§ Mr. WilliamsWill the Minister agree that in Fiji, as in many other territories, economic development is well-nigh impossible unless the population increase is controlled? Will he undertake to implement one of the major recommendations of the Burns Commission by setting up family planning facilities in Fiji and not yield to the minority religious opinion in this country which is hostile to the idea of family planning?
§ Mr. FraserI happen to be part of that religious minority. But this is quite a different matter in Fiji, where the main answer to the Fijian problem is to increase agricultural production and bring in new industries. In addition, we have increased the number of family planning centres from five to seven; but I still believe our main purpose must be to see that the resources of Fiji are properly used so that it can sustain a larger population than there is there today.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonDoes the Minister say that he does not accept the recommendation of the Burns Commission on this matter?
§ Mr. FraserFamily planning centres and birth control facilities are entirely different matters, as the hon. Gentleman must know. One of the recommendations of the Burns Commission which we accepted was that there should be advice on family planning, but the further recommendation, or suggestion, that there should be a free issue of contraceptives has not been accepted.