asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the qualifications of the retired Army officer recently appointed as Civil Commissioner in Mauritius.

The officer in question has served in the Army since 1923 and has spent much of his service in India and East Africa. He was posted on military duty to Mauritius in 1944 and was appointed Officer Commanding the troops there in 1945. The Governor, when recommending him for appointment as Civil Commissioner, reported that he was well-known and liked by all sections in the Island. When interviewed by the Colonial Service Appointments Board in this country, he made a very favourable impression and I consider that he is well qualified by administrative and other experience to fill the post for which he has been selected.