§ Mr. H. A. Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the disappointment among Mauritian 63W civil servants at his decision that it would be unwise to allow the use of accrued surplus funds for the payment of cost-of-living allowances; and if he will state his reasons for that decision.
Mr. GriffithsThe general revenue balance of the Mauritius Government at 30th June this year was estimated at about Rs.15 million. This balance has been built up only with difficulty even during the recent prosperous years, and even if the Reserve Fund of Rs.12 million is included the total of Rs.27 million is equivalent to less than six months' expenditure at the rate estimated for 1951–52.
The expression of opinion quoted in the Question was based upon the view that that sum is the minimum which it is desirable to retain intact as a safeguard against the effect of any possible recession in prosperity or any other unforeseen contingency.