§ Sir R. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the announcement in Mauritius, on 19th May, of the proposed withdrawal of the military garrison.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes. By arrangement betwen the East African Governors and the Governor of Mauritius the present military garrison is provided by two companies of the East African land forces administered by the East African Land Forces Organisation in Nairobi. East African forces first went to Mauritius during the last war to protect the Colony against attack. The continuance of these arrangements until recent years has been based partly on the needs of Mauritius and partly on the requirements of Commonwealth strategy.
Changes in defence policy and improvement in air transport have meant that it is no longer necessary to maintain small and scattered garrisons. Mauritius has itself never borne the whole cost of the garrison and recently United Kingdom financial assistance for this purpose has been paid direct to the East African Land Forces Organisation; provision was, however, made in this year's Colonial Services Vote that from the 1st July, 1959 such assistance would instead be paid direct to the Mauritius Government.
The Governor has now decided to raise a Special Mobile Force under his control for the internal security requirements of the territory. This will allow the progressive withdrawal of the East African garrison during the next twelve months. In these circumstances there is no point in changing present financial procedures, and United Kingdom financial assistance from 1st July, 1959, will continue to be paid direct to the East African Land Forces Organisation.