§ Mr. Wilkesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to ensure that forthcoming elections in Mauritius under the new Constitution are held in time to allow a new Legislative Council to deal with next year's estimates.
Mr. Creech JonesThe financial year in Mauritius commences on 1st July, and I am afraid that, owing to the time required for the completion of registration of electors in accordance with the new franchise, it will not be possible to hold the elections before August or September next. The 1948–49 draft estimates are to be presented to the present Council of Government this month. They will be based on the current year's expenditure and will contain few controversial proposals. If necessary these proposals will be submitted to the new Legislative Council later in the year as supplementary estimates.