§ 4. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the renewed disturbances in Mauritius since September last, culminating in the arrest of 150 persons at Curepipe on 29th October.
§ Mr. StonehouseAt the end of October over 100 persons, refused an offer of work on sugar estates, alleging political discrimination. They sat peacefully 1157 for three days and three nights at various places between Mahebourg and Curepipe and 105 persons were arrested at Curepipe on 29th October for obstructing the highway. They were remanded in prison until 4th November when they pleaded guilty to obstructing the police. Taking into account that they were first offenders and had spent six days in prison on remand, they were discharged.
§ Mr. JohnsonAs it is now admitted that over a hundred persons were clamped in gaol for a few days, why was I given such a soothing and soporific Answer on 8th November, by which time cables and newspaper reports about these incidents must have come to the Minister's office?
§ Mr. StonehouseI repeat what I said on 8th November, which is as true now as it was then. There have been demonstrations by groups of unemployed but none of these demonstrations has resulted in any damage to life or property. I have no reason to change the form of my reply on that.
§ Mr. DribergSince my hon. Friend has mentioned the unemployed, can he say, in view of the very high degree of chronic unemployment in Mauritius, whether some special arrangements can be made comparable with those for Malta?
§ Mr. StonehouseYes, Sir; we are examining various ways by which the economy can be diversified. As my hon. Friend knows, the economy is almost completely dependent on sugar, and there are extreme problems in arranging for any new industrial development. These questions are being examined.