asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what submissions were made to him by representatives of the political parties of Mauritius whom he consulted recently in London on the proposed constitutional changes in that territory.

The submissions were confidential and I cannot disclose them.

Did the largest party, the Labour Party, ask for early responsible Government, with a Prime Minister, and for independence within two years? What were the reasons for not accepting those proposals?

Obviously, I cannot go into detail or it would make nonsense of my Answer. It is widely known that the Mauritius Labour Party put forward proposals which were in advance of those which I eventually recommended to the conference, but I am pretty sure from my own knowledge of the conference and of Mauritius that what came out of the conference has been widely welcomed in Mauritius.

Would the Minister encourage all the parties in Mauritius to organise themselves so that they cut across racial lines in their organisation and so proceed as quickly as possible to responsible self-government with the confidence of all?

I think that the approach which was outlined at the Mauritius conference of a comparatively small advance now and a considerable advance after the next general election—although I think it likely that some such regrouping as the hon. Member indicates may well have to take place—is the right approach.