§ 28. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the situation in Mauritius following the general election; and when he expects that Mauritius will gain independence.
§ Mr. George ThomsonAs my hon. Friend will know, the Independence Party, led by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, won the General Election in Mauritius on 7th August and a new Government has been formed under his leadership. In accordance with the decision reached at the 1965 Constitutional Conference full internal self-government was introduced on 12th August.
The new Assembly have passed a resolution asking for independence within the Commonwealth and, in accordance with what was agreed at the 1965 Conference, the territory will now be going forward to full independence as soon as possible. As the House will be aware, the Premier 405W of Mauritius is at present in London and I am glad to announce that we have now agreed with him that Mauritius will become independent on 12th March, 1968.