§ 66. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the concern felt by all the political parties in Mauritius except the Parti Mauricien over the findings of the Banwell Electoral Commission Report; and whether he will call a London conference to reconsider the matter.
§ 68. Mr. Woodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision Her Majesty's Government has reached in the light of the recommendations of the Banwell Commission's Report on the Electoral System for Mauritius; when it is proposed that elections should be held; and whether he will make a statement about reactions in Mauritius to the recommendations made by the Commission.
§ Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the sharp reaction of the Mauritius Government, and three major political parties in Mauritius, to the report of the Banwell Electorial Commission; if he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the proposals in this report; and what steps he is taking to ensure adequate fature representation of the Muslim and Chinese minorities.
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§ Mr. Frederick LeeThe hon. Members will have seen from the dispatch printed in the White Paper (Colonial No. 362) that I reached the conclusion that the Commission's recommendations were fair and satisfactory in the circumstances of Mauritius and that I accepted them in full. Publication of the Report in Mauritius on 31st May resulted in immediate protests from the three parties forming the Government. The Premier has now sent me a memorandum giving the reasons of these parties for opposing the Commission's recommendations and asking me to call a fresh Conference to discuss the points at issue and I am giving this careful consideration.