Sir G. HAMILTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether whether any representations have been made to him with reference to the further development of Mauritius; if so, what action he has taken in consequence of such representations; and whether, in view of the expressed intention of His Majesty's Government to further develop the resources of the British Empire as a whole, he will take steps to see what possibilities exist there?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo special representations have been received by the Secretary of State as to the development of Mauritius, but I may mention that in view of the prosperous condition of the colony active measures are in progress for carrying out comprehensive sanitary reforms and schemes for the improvement of the harbour of Port Louis and for the betterment of conditions among the wage-earning classes.
Sir G. HAMILTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any representations have been made to him with reference to the further development of the Falkland Islands; if so, what action he has taken in consequence of such representations; and whether, in view of the expressed intention of His Majesty's Government to further develop the resources of the 68W British Empire as a whole, he will take steps to see what possibilities exist there?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREA geological survey of the Falkland Islands has just been carried out, but the results do not point to any appreciable mineral wealth. Whaling and fishing are the principal industries, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the Report of an Inter-Departmental Committee published as Cmd. Paper 657 of 1920. The S. S. "Discovery" has recently been purchased on behalf of the Colonial Government to carry out the researches recommended by that Committee.