§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what agreement has been reached in the official discussions with representatives of the political parties in Mauritius for the implementation of self-government during March, 1964.
§ Mr. TilneyThe following statement has been issued by the Mauritius Government.
"The Governor, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and the leaders of the Independent Forward Block, the Muslim Committee of Action and the Parti Mauricien have discussed informally with the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs in London the question of forming an all-party government.
The Mauritius (Constitution) Order 1964, which was made on 26th February and will come into force shortly on a day to be appointed by His Excellency, enables up to 13 unofficial Ministers to be appointed in addition to the Chief Minister (who becomes the Premier). It also provides for the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries, the number of whom it is intended shall be limited to 3.
All the party leaders have agreed to join the new government which will be formed when the Order in Council comes into force. His Excellency has agreed with them that he will appoint 6 Ministers (including the Premier) from the Labour Party, 3 from the Parti Mauricien, 2 each from the Independent 252W Forward Block and the Muslim Committee of Action, and 1 Independent. In addition he will appoint 2 Parliamentary Secretaries from the Labour Party and 1 from the Independent Forward Block.
It is His Excellency's intention to appoint as Premier the present Chief Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, Dr. the Honourable S. Ramgoolam. The names of the Ministers and the Parliamentary Secretaries, and the allocation of portfolios, will be announced in due course."
The new constitution introduces a further measure of self-government on the lines recommended at the constitutional review conference of 1961 and the political parties have agreed that discussions on full internal self-government should be held at a convenient date during the year beginning October, 1965.