§ 5. Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Overseas Development what requests for aid he has had from Mauritius; how much has been granted; and how much will be spent on atolls of special scientific interest.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Overseas Development (Mr. A. E. Oram)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Commonwealth Affairs on 1st November to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, West (Mr. James Johnson)—[Vol. 753, c. 5–6] I understand that there are no atolls of special interest forming part of the territory of Mauritius.
If my hon. Friend is referring to atolls in the British Indian Ocean Territory, this is not a matter for me but for my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary.
§ Mr. DalyellIs there, then, no financial relationship or understanding with Mauritius on the question of Aldabra?
§ Mr. WallCan the hon. Gentleman say when the amount of aid to be given to Mauritius on independence is to be worked out?