Parliamentary Questions 2004 Parliamentary Questions 2003-2001

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Debate No 5 of 2004

 

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - REPORT

 (No. B/161) Mr D. Hurnam (Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether Government will implement the proposal made by the National Human Rights Commission in paragraph 44 of its report dated 31 March 2003 relating to its willingness to deal with disciplinary action against Police Officers in reported cases where the DPP does not intend instituting any criminal proceedings, and whether he will make a statement thereon.

 

          The Prime Minister:  Mr Speaker Sir, I have already given our position on this matter in response to PQ B/8 replied to on 16 March last.

 

Our position remains unchanged, at least for the time being.

 

 

 

FRAUD AND CORRUPTION - SURVEY

 

(No. B/163) Dr. R.  Jeetah (First Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether he will state if there has been any survey since September 2000 to date as to the level of fraud and corruption, including those conducted by any international organisation and, if so, will he table the results of any such survey(s).

 

          The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker Sir, I am informed that since September 2000, there has been no survey on fraud and corruption.

         

However, I am informed that in September 2003, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) commissioned a nationwide survey in Mauritius and Rodrigues on the perception of Mauritian society about corruption. This study was funded by the United Nations Development Programme.

 

That report was made public on 08 April and I am tabling a copy thereof.

 

          Dr. Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Prime Minister aware that according to Transparency International, during this present mandate, there has been a significant increase in fraud and corruption for, at least, the last two years?

 

          The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have never been very impressed by the work of Transparency International.

         

Dr. Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Prime Minister aware that, according to the survey mentioned by the hon. Prime Minister, carried out on behalf of ICAC, published last week, it has been revealed that the foremost concern of Mauritians is the increase of fraud and corruption since 2000?

 

          The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, ICAC has carried out a survey on perception, I'll leave it where it is.

 

          Dr. Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Prime Minister saying that this survey is not serious?

 

          The Prime Minister: The hon. Member is saying so.

 

          Dr. Jeetah: Will the Prime Minister not concede that all the surveys have yet again brought disrepute to our country?

 

          The Prime Minister: The hon. Member must have, at least, realised that the survey is about perception, not on corruption.  It is perception left, right and centre. ICAC found it very important to have this kind of survey carried out and UNDP has found it fit to finance that kind of survey. I better refrain from making any other comment, Mr Speaker, Sir.

 

          Mr Dulloo: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Prime Minister aware that this survey was commissioned at a time when the credibility of ICAC was at its lowest? It was done to improve the image of ICAC. Is he aware that the report, which is on the Table, says that more than two-third of the population is very sceptical about the battle being waged against corruption and that they don't see the situation improving with or without ICAC?

 

          The Prime Minister: Yes.

 

          Dr. David: Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Prime Minister just said that it is a survey on perception. Can we, therefore, ask him if it is the perception of the majority of Mauritians that corruption is a scourge in this country?

 

Mr Speaker: Is this not asking the opinion of the hon. Prime Minister?

 

Dr. David: Yes.

 

Mr Speaker: According to the rules, you cannot ask for the opinion of a Minister.

         

Dr. Boolell: Can I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he met the representative of Transparency International? He came to Mauritius and gave an interview where he stated very clearly that the findings of the report are reliable, because they sourced their information from World Bank and other reputed organisations.

         

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, nothing of the sort took place.

 

Mr Dulloo: Is the hon. Prime Minister aware that according to the report on the hit parade of corrupt people are found Ministers? Ministers are classified to be at the top of corrupt people. What action...

 

(Interruptions)

 

I am saying Ministers - ex, now, future or whatever it is. What action is being taken in this regard?

 

          The Prime Minister: I am not impressed at all by this report on perception. I leave it to ICAC. They deemed it fit to have this kind of survey and I am glad that it is not Mauritius that paid for it. I leave it to UNDP; they took the decision to fund it.

 

          Mr Collendavelloo: Can the House know whether, in compliance with the law, ICAC sought and obtained prior approval of the Parliamentary Committee before accepting external funding for that survey?

 

          The Prime Minister: I am not aware, Mr Speaker, Sir; and I do not sit in the Parliamentary Committee.

 

 

TELEPHONE TAPPING

 

(No. B/164) Dr. J. B. David (Fourth Member for GRNW and Port Louis West) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether he will state if telephone tapping is resorted to in Mauritius and, if so, will he give the number of persons whose telephones are tapped and say if these persons include politicians who are Parliamentarians or non-Parliamentarians, journalists and representatives of religion.

 

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Attorney-General's Office that telephone tapping is prohibited in Mauritius in virtue of Section 46(o) of the Information and Communication Technologies Act of 2001 which provides that it is an offence for any person to intercept or authorise or permit another person to intercept, or to do any act or thing to intercept a message over a telecommunication network.

 

          However, I am further informed by the Attorney General's Office that the same Act provides that there can be interference with a telecommunication message in the following circumstances -

 

(i)      pursuant to Section 3(2), the Minister may, on the recommendation of the ICT Authority exempt any Government Department or statutory corporation from compliance with the Act in the interests of the sovereignty of the State, national security and public order;

 

(ii)      pursuant to Section 32(5), a public operator may decide on his own to interfere with a telecommunication message, where he or his employee is dealing with a message which he has reason to believe is indecent or abusive or in breach of the Act or of a nature likely to endanger the State's defence, or public safety or public order and

 

(iii)     pursuant to Section 32(6), a public operator may intervene at the request of the Police in connection with criminal proceedings whether pending or contemplated in Mauritius, after an order to that effect has been granted by a Judge sitting in Chambers.

 

          Where an interception takes place under Section 32(5), the operator has a duty to refer the message withheld to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority to obtain written directions from that Authority.

 

          Mr Speaker, I am informed by the ICT Authority that as at to date, the Authority has not made any recommendation regarding interception of telephone message to the Minister pursuant to Section 3(2) of the ICT Act 2001 nor has any operator so far referred to it any message under Section 32(5).

 

          Dr. David: There are two questions, Mr Speaker.  The first one is: has there been any request from any Ministry, or most likely from the Police and the Prime Minister's Office, for telephone tapping?

 

          The Prime Minister: I have replied that when the Police wants to resort to telephone tapping in connection with criminal proceedings, whether pending or contemplated in Mauritius, they go to a judge sitting in Chambers.

 

          Dr. David: The hon. Prime Minister referred to interpretation given from the Attorney-General's Office; and my second question is: will he find out from the Commissioner of Police whether maybe without his knowledge  telephone tapping is being resorted to by the Police?

 

          The Prime Minister: I am giving the guarantee that this is not the case.

 

 

DETAINEE WENDY LAFLEUR - ALLEGATION OF ASSAULT

 

          (No. B/165) Dr. J. B. David (Fourth Member for GRNW and Port Louis West) asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether he will, for the benefit of the House and in regard to prisoner Wendy Lafleur, obtain information as to -

         

(a)              why he was taken to hospital again last week, and

(b)             whether the report on Police brutality against him has now been completed and submitted by the National Commission on Human rights and, if so, will he circulate copy thereof and, if not, when is it likely to be submitted.

 

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Ag. Commissioner of Prisons that on 01 April 2004, detainee Wendy Lafleur assaulted another detainee.  Arrangements were made to transfer him to Phoenix Prison on 02 April.  Whilst he was being transferred, he swallowed several pills which he had in his possession.  On his arrival at the Phoenix Prison, the Prison Medical Officer found detainee Lafleur in a drowsy condition.  The Prison Medical Officer examined the detainee and referred him to Jawaharlall Nehru Hospital where he was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit for treatment.

 

As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that according to Police records, no complaints whatsoever have been received from Wendy Lafleur against any Police officer.  However, on 07 October 2003, Wendy Lafleur, in a statement to the CCID, had complained that he was assaulted by Prison officers on
26 September 2003.  The inquiry of the Police in regard to Wendy Lafleur's allegation has been completed and submitted to the Director for Public Prosecutions on 24 November for advice.

 

The National Human Rights Commission which conducted its own inquiry into the incidents of 26 September 2003 submitted its report on 22 December 2003.  The recommendations made therein have been examined and are being implemented.

 

I am circulating the conclusions of the Commission's inquiry contained in the last two paragraphs of its report. (Appendix 1)

 

 

MAURITIUS/RODRIGUES - POLICE STATIONS & FEMALE POLICE OFFICERS

 

(No. B/166) Mrs F. Labelle (Second Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière) asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to the total number of Police stations in mainland Mauritius and in Rodrigues and the total number of female Police officers who are posted in Police stations in mainland Mauritius and in Rodrigues.

 

The Prime Minister: Sir, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that there are 67 Police stations and 5 Police posts in mainland Mauritius whereas in Rodrigues, there are 13 Police stations and one Police post.

 

I am further informed by the Commissioner of Police that presently, the Mauritius Police Force comprises 512 female Police Officers who are posted as follows -

 

(i)      196 posted to Police stations in Mauritius;

(ii)      5 posted to Police stations in Rodrigues;

(iii)     302 posted to different branches and units of the

Force, and

(iv)     9 on secondment for duty to Ministries and Departments.

 

Mr Speaker, Sir, the duties of women Police constable, I am informed, are the same as their male counterparts and as laid down in the Police Act.  Like their male counterparts, women Police officers are deployed on operational duties such as football matches and public gatherings.  They are involved in conducting investigations, traffic control, patrols and escort of prisoners.  Those women Police officers attached to the SMF and SSU may also be deployed on site in cases of incidents or where public order problems arise.

 

Mrs Labelle: Mr Speaker, may I ask the hon. Prime Minister to use his good offices so that the number of Police women be increased in Police stations?

 

The Prime Minister: Yes, generally, the Commissioner of Police is seeing to it - and I am watching over it - that the number of female officers keep on increasing proportionately.  We have to catch up and we are catching up.

 

Mr Collendavelloo: Can I know why we still in the Police department maintain this discrimination of calling female Police officers in a different grade women Police officers as against Police constable, for instance.  We do not segregate doctors as female doctors and male doctors.  If their duties are the same, why do we maintain this colonial distinction which is completely out of pace with the 21^st century?

 

The Prime Minister: The question talked of female Police officers.

 

Mr Collendavelloo: The answer talked of women Police officers. In the Budget we have these two gradings. Can I ask the hon. Prime Minister to see with the Commissioner of Police that on the next budget exercise we will not have this discriminatory appellation?

 

The Prime Minister: I believe my friend is being léger. We have to catch up. I want to see, year after year, how many new female Police officers we are recruiting, because this is not a game, it is not theoretical.  We have to catch up and for us to see that we are catching up, we have to see imprint that we are increasing the number of female Police officers until the day when we no longer have any catching up to do.

 

Mrs Labelle: Mr Speaker, I fully agree that we have to increase the women Police officers. Since there is a recruitment exercise right now, may I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether this time we are going to recruit more female Police officers than in the last recruitment?

 

The Prime Minister: Yes, as I have said, we are catching up. Let me assure the House that the Commissioner of Police that we have is very gender conscious.  I will give you the last example.  We commissioned the second new plane "Le Dornier" and some of the officers would have only male officers to commission and to parade and so on; and he made it a point to have a good number of very nicely dressed and looking female officers in that parade also.  The hon. Member can rest assured that the Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Interior are very keen to catch up where we are late.

 

Dr. Ramgoolam: Mr Speaker, since the hon. Prime Minister says that the Commissioner of Police is very gender conscious, may I know whether he will continue the policy of sending women Police officers abroad for training. There was none before; when I became Prime Minister, no women Police officers were sent abroad for training. We changed that.  Will he make sure that this continues? Because apparently this has stopped.

 

The Prime Minister: I cannot guarantee this information that was placed before the House, but I know that training facilities are being given without discrimination to both male and female Police officers.

 

Mr Dulloo: May I ask the hon. Minister whether he is aware that since he last viewed the Police women officers the law has been passed making harassment by the eye an offence?

 

 

CHILD SOWPARIKA AGILESWARAN, BEAU VALLON, MAHEBOURG

 

(No. B/167) Mr X. L. Duval (Fourth Member for Curepipe and Midlands) asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether Sowparika Agileswaran of Beau Vallon, Mahebourg, a child born in Mauritius, has been deported and, if so, will he make a statement thereon.

 

(Withdrawn)

 

 

PERSONS (MISSING) - INVESTIGATION

 

(No. B/168) Dr. S. Chady (Second Member for Port Louis Maritime and Port Louis East) asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether he has been apprised of the fact that of late a Police inquiry on a drug related offence has brought to light the involvement of a notary in cases of missing persons and, if so, will he use his good offices with the Commissioner of Police for all cases of missing persons to be further investigated into.

 

The Prime Minister: I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that on 25 March 2004, two persons were arrested for a drug dealing offence by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit.

 

In the course of investigation, one of the persons arrested has incriminated six persons, including a public notary, for supplying dangerous drugs and for giving instructions to commit murder on three counts.

 

In the course of the inquiry, it has also emerged that the notary and three other persons could have been involved in a case of "giving instructions to murder" on the person of another citizen of Mauritius who was in Madagascar in 1999 and also in a case of "conspiracy to conceal drugs" at the place of that same person.

 

          The inquiry is still under way.

         

I am further informed, Sir, that there is no indication at this stage that the suspect is involved in any case of missing persons reported to Police.

 

The Police is carrying out further investigations with regard to cases of all other missing persons.

 

          Dr. Chady: Mr Speaker, since 1996 to date out of 5000 people who have been declared missing 75 have not been found. 

 

          The Prime Minister: On a point of order, Sir, the hon. Member cannot make a statement like that. He can put a question.

 

          Mr Speaker: The hon. Member is saying that, out of 5000 people who have been declared missing, 75 have not been found.  What is the question?

 

          Dr. Chady: I referred to the number of people in order to give force to the question.  May I ask the hon. Prime Minister to use his good offices so that a new investigation by new people be carried out on all these cases as far back as 1996? 

 

          The Prime Minister: This is exactly what I have said, Mr Speaker.  The last paragraph reads thus -

 

"The Police is carrying out further investigation in regard to cases of all other missing persons."

 

Dr. Chady: There was one Mr Calou who, in a dying statement in 2000, revealed the names of three people who were involved in this case.  May I ask the Prime Minister why, in that particular case, no Form 58 was filed?  That person stayed in hospital for one month.

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Chady, it appears that you have knowledge of the Police file.  You said no Form 58 was filed.  You can ask the Minister whether he is aware that there was no Form 58.  You are making a statement as if you are aware of the whole file.  You should put the question first.

 

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, I can say that as this whole thing is unravelling, I take the situation very, very seriously.  People are innocent until proved guilty.  I would not go into the different cases themselves.  But I have asked the Commissioner of Police to report and give me information as to whether all the Intelligence gathering, comparing and processing took place as it should.  As the whole thing is unravelling, I feel very uneasy that Intelligence processing and so on did not point in certain direction. According to what I read, there are also statements that have been given in the past and the Police inquiry certainly did not develop the way I feel the Police inquiry should have developed.  All this is not going just to be put aside like that.  This is not the way I work.  I shall get from the Commissioner of Police and all the Police Officers concerned all information to make sure that, in future, when things like that happen, when there are patterns, action is taken.

 

Dr. Chady: Mr Speaker, being given the ramification of this case which is evolving every day, would the hon. Prime Minister contemplate setting up a Commission of Inquiry on the whole issue?  This case is very broad.

 

The Prime Minister: This is the last thing I will do, Mr Speaker.  Very very last thing!  If I want to vire tout en bas la-haut, I would do that. Having said what I have said, the Police is doing a great job, especially in that case.  ADSU started it.  ADSU is going all the way with that inquiry.  The Commissioner of Police is going all the way with ADSU and other Police Officers.  I repeat, everybody must be presumed innocent until proved guilty.  Let us not pass judgement left, right and centre.  Let the inquiry go all the way, nothing will be secret anywhere.  The inquiry will go all the way and the cases will go to Court as required.  Setting up of a Commission of Inquiry would disrupt everything and would be of great help to the culprits, if any.

 

 

ICAC - CASES FROM ECO & REVENUE AUTHORITY

 

(No. B/169) Mr M. Dulloo (Third Member for Grand'Baie and Poudre D'Or) asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence & Home Affairs whether he has obtained clarification from the State Law Office regarding information that he can communicate regarding ICAC and, if so, will he be prepared to give a list of cases -

 

(a)              handed over by the defunct Economic Crime Office to the Revenue Authority and which the latter handed over to ICAC;

(b)             handed over by the Revenue Authority to ICAC;

(c)              handled by ICAC from 01 April 2002 to date;

(d)             disposed of by ICAC;

(e)              referred by ICAC to the -

 

(i)                Police and

(ii)              DPP for action, and

 

(f)               where an inquiry or prosecution by ICAC resulted in a

conviction.

 

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker Sir, with your permission, I will reply to PQ B/169 & B/170 together.

 

I am advised that by Law, namely section 61(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, it is the Parliamentary Committee, which is entitled to be provided with the information referred to in the Parliamentary Questions under reference, and that the Parliamentary Committee is empowered in turn to report to the National Assembly on the manner in which the Commission is discharging its functions and exercising its powers or on any other matter.

                                     

For this reason, Mr Speaker, and also because of the need to preserve the confidentiality of information obtained under the PoCA, I have been advised that the Parliamentary Committee is the proper entity to seek and obtain such information.

 

I understand that it is open to the Parliamentary Committee, by virtue of section 61(1)(f) to report to the National Assembly on matters to which those information relate.

 

          Mr Dulloo: Mr Speaker, unfortunately, we are back to square one.  This is the same advice that we have been given, namely, that the Parliamentary Committee was not entitled to ask for all this information. 

         

May I, therefore, ask the hon. Prime Minister to check his file concerning ICAC and whether he is aware that a Member of the Parliamentary Committee did write to …

 

          The Prime Minister: On a point of order, Sir.  I have said what I have been advised by the State Law Office.  I am not going to go into any of the workings of the Parliamentary Committee or ICAC itself.

 

          Mr Dulloo: I am going by the law, Mr Speaker, Sir.  I am asking the hon. Prime Minister whether he is aware that it was reported to him …

 

          The Prime Minister: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.  I have made my point that I am not going to go, in any way, on the basis of this advice from the State Law Office, into the workings of the Parliamentary Committee or ICAC's doings or workings.  I stand by the advice which the State Law Office has given me.

 

          Mr Speaker: The question that the hon. Member is putting is different.  Let me listen to the question first.

         

Mr Dulloo: May I ask him whether he is aware that it is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee who should report to Parliament and not the

Parliamentary Committee, which shows that he has been wrongly advised on that?  I am asking the hon. Prime Minister whether he would supply information concerning the cases that were lodged into Court.  The second question is the outcome of cases which were lodged into Court and the amounts spent.  It is public money that is being spent.  We have asked questions on many occasions and I have written to the Prime Minister to inform him that all this information is not being supplied to Members of the Parliamentary Committee.

 

          Mr Speaker: I think the hon. Member is referring to part (b) of PQ B/170.  I do not know whether the Prime Minister can consider replying to this part of the question.

 

          The Prime Minister: I have already replied.  I do not wish to add anything, Mr Speaker.

 

          Dr. David: Mr Speaker, this is an absurd ping-pong game.

 

                                      (Interruptions)

 

Mr Speaker: This is a comment.  The hon. Prime Minister has sought advice from the State Law Office.  The advice given is that he cannot give the information to the House.  The information can be sought by the Parliamentary Committee.  There is no point in making comments.  I think the hon. Member can consider other options.

         

Mr Hurnam: On a point of order, Mr Speaker.  If the hon. Member is not happy with the answer, he can challenge that issue in Court.

         

Dr. David: Mr Speaker, when we ask questions in the Parliamentary Committee we do not get answers …

         

                             (Interruptions)

 

          Mr Speaker: Order, please!  This might be against the Standing Orders because the hon. Member is revealing what takes place in the Parliamentary Committee.  I know we are back to square one.  It is a vicious circle.  Can we allow ourselves to breach the rules of the House?

 

          Dr. David: No, we cannot, Mr Speaker. 

 

          Mr Speaker: I do not think it is proper for the hon. Member to reveal what goes on in the Parliamentary Committee.

                  

          Dr. David: Fair enough, we are not revealing!  But will the Prime Minister, therefore, not hide himself behind the advice that he gets from the State Law Office? 

                                      (Interruptions)

 

          The Prime Minister: I take strong objection to this!  This is rubbish!

                  

          (Interruptions)

 

          Mr Speaker: Order!

 

          Dr. David: This is what the Prime Minister is doing.

 

          Mr Speaker: Order!  This is not fair, hon. David.  The Prime Minister had said last time that he would seek legal advice.  He has come up with the advice to the House and I do not think that he can go against the advice.  If the Prime Minister is going by the advice given to him, it is not proper to say that he is hiding behind the advice of the State Law Office.  This is not proper.

 

                                      (Interruptions)

 

          Dr. David: I am not withdrawing anything!  Mr Speaker, therefore, the advice is that the Prime Minister should not answer. Final full stop!

 

          Mr Speaker: If the advice is so, what can the Prime Minister do?

                             (Interruptions)

 

          Order!  Next question, please!

 

          Mr Dulloo: My question is with regard to part (b) of PQ No. B/170, because this is the problem: lack of transparency and accountability.  We are asking for transparency and accountability as far as ICAC is concerned.  This is corrupt, illegal and unhealthy.

 

          The Prime Minister: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, Sir.  I think it is totally out of order for a Member to stand up and pass comments on the way the Parliamentary Committee and ICAC are working, when that Member is in that Parliamentary Committee.

 

          Mr Dulloo: No, Mr Speaker, Sir.  I am saying that ICAC is working illegally…

 

          Mr Speaker: Can you take your seat, hon. Dulloo, please? 

 

(Interruptions)

 

Order!  I am relying on the Standing Orders, whereby it is said that if a Minister refuses to answer a question, we cannot force him to do so.  So, it is losing the time of the House putting the same question over and over again.

 

          Mr Dulloo: I am referring to the report.

 

          The Prime Minister: I am not refusing to reply.  I am standing by the legal advice which I have received from the SLO. 

 

          Mr Dulloo: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am referring to a report from ICAC that has been laid on the Table of the Assembly.  In the light of the report, I am asking questions.  All those information that should be submitted to Parliament are not being submitted.  Money voted for ICAC is more than for the Judiciary.  Rs157 m….

 

          Mr Speaker: I understand your point, hon. Dulloo. 

 

          Mr Dulloo: It is not accountable to this House at all.

 

          Mr Speaker: Can you take your seat?  I understand your predicament.  The legal advice is that you have to go to the Parliamentary Committee to look for the information.

 

The Prime Minister: The advice which we received is clear.  We have voted a piece of legislation.  The advice that I got from the SLO is that, as per the piece of legislation, I should not reply and that the Parliamentary Committee is entitled to go into that kind of thing.  If there are representations for us to amend the Prevention of Corruption Act, if it is not working, if there are suggestions, I am open.

         

Dr. Ramgoolam: The Prime Minister said that Government brought the law.  Therefore, is what Sir Maurice Rault says correct, namely that it is a totally imbecile law?

 

          The Prime Minister: I don't agree, and normally when that gentleman says something, I am exactly of the opposite opinion.  But, in that case, we, human beings, have voted this law.  With experience, nothing prevents us from amending it. If it is not working, we can.  But, I would advise everybody that we do that à tête reposée, not hysterically, Mr Speaker, Sir.  We would do that à tête reposée.  Can I also remind the House that there is a Committee, chaired by the President, with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition?  I have not heard anything from the Leader of the Opposition, wishing to revisit this or that.  I am prepared to revisit a lot of things.

 

          Dr. Ramgoolam: The Prime Minister said that he is always against what Sir Maurice Rault says.  But, is it not a fact that he is right?  He said that whenever Sir Maurice Rault says something, he is completely of the opposite opinion.

 

          The Prime Minister: I did not name him.

         

Dr. Ramgoolam: I am naming him!  Therefore, is he not right to say so?  For we are stuck in a situation where we don't get any transparency?

 

          Mr Speaker: If, as the hon. Member is saying, there is no transparency, why doesn't he, as the hon. Prime Minister stated, suggest amendments to the law?

 

          Mr Dulloo: The law is clear.  The Prime Minister has been given the wrong advice.  May I ask him whether he is ready to lay on the Table of the Assembly the advice given to him by the SLO?  Because it is a purely wrong advice.

          Mr Speaker: Advice given to Ministers need not be communicated to the House unless the Minister decides otherwise.

 

ICAC – CASES LODGED ON BEHALF/AGAINST

BEFORE COURTS

 

          (No. B/170) Mr M. Dulloo (Third Member for Grand' Baie & Poudre d'Or) asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Home Affairs whether he has obtained clarification from the State Law Office as to information that he can communicate to the House regarding ICAC and, if so, will he be prepared to give the list of cases before our courts, excluding provisional criminal cases –

 

(a)              lodged by or on behalf of ICAC;

(b)             lodged against ICAC or any of its officers, and indicate the outcome of each case and the total costs thereof to ICAC.

 

(Vide reply to PQ No. B/169)

 

 

SENTOSA ENTERPRISES LTD – 16 INDIAN WORKERS - REPATRIATION

 

          (No. B/172) Mr D. Hurnam (Third Member for Pamplemousses & Triolet) asked the Minister of Training, Skills Development, Productivity and External Communications whether he will make a statement on the incident at the SSR International Airport and during the flight to India of 21 ex-employees of Sentosa Ltée deported on 23 March 2004.

 

          The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I shall reply to this Parliamentary Question.

 

          I am informed that the incident of 23 March referred to by the hon. Member concerned 16 and not 21 ex-employees of Sentosa Ltd. 

 

I am further informed by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment that 16 Indian workers had been granted work permits for one year, as from June 2003, to enable them to work at Sentosa Enterprises Ltd. 

 

          On 22 March 2004, Sentosa Enterprises Ltd informed the Ministry of Labour, in writing, that these 16 Indian workers had failed to report for duty and had committed a breach of their contract with the company.  The company requested that the work permits of the workers be cancelled.  The work permits were cancelled by the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment.

 

          On the same day, a copy of the letter, in respect of the above, addressed to the Manager of Sentosa Enterprises Ltd by the Ministry of Labour was sent to my office as well as to the Passport & Immigration Office.  It stated that the work permit issued to the 16 Indian workers had been cancelled and requested the Passport & Immigration Office to make arrangements for their repatriation. 

 

The Passport & Immigration Office informed the Manager of Sentosa Enterprises Ltd, in writing, that the residence permit issued to the 16 Indian workers had been cancelled and Sentosa Enterprises Ltd was requested to make necessary arrangements for them to leave Mauritius by the first available flight.

 

          On 23 March 2004, at about 1700 hours, the 16 Indian expatriates were brought to SSR International Airport under Police escort.  At the check-in counter of Air Mauritius, they were interviewed by Air Mauritius personnel to whom they stated that they were unwilling to leave Mauritius. 

 

Air Mauritius requested that the group be escorted during the flight.  They were escorted by five Police Officers to India. 

 

No incident was reported during the flight and the 16 Indian workers were handed over to the Indian authorities at Mumbai Airport.

 

 

NORTHERN HIGHWAY - ROUNDABOUT

         

          (No. B/173) Mr D. Hurnam (Third Member for Pamplemousses & Triolet) asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport & Shipping whether he will, with a view to avoiding traffic congestions at the Terre Rouge roundabout, consider the desirability of setting up a roundabout on the northern highway in the vicinity of Bois Marchand cemetery, opposite the newly created road leading to Arsenal.

 

          Mr Bachoo: Sir, my Ministry will undertake a traffic study to look into the feasibility of constructing a roundabout on the northern highway in the vicinity of Bois Marchand cemetery, opposite the newly created road leading to Arsenal.  A decision will be taken on the basis of the traffic study report.

 

TROU AUX BICHES HOTEL – VILLAS LEASED BY GOVERNMENT

 

          (No. B/174) Mr M. Dowarkasing (Third Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Minister of Tourism & Leisure whether, in regard to the villas leased by Government to Trou aux Biches Hotel, he will –

 

(a)              give the number;

(b)             give the details of the lease agreement; and

(c)              state whether Trou aux Biches Hotel owes any rent to Government and, if so, will he indicate the measures taken to recover same.

 

The Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources (Mr N. Bodha): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I will reply to this question.

 

Government is leasing 11 villas at Trou aux Biches to New Mauritius Hotels Ltd.

 

The lease agreement which was signed in May 1991 will expire in 2018. 

 

First, the rent payable is Rs10,000 per villa per month until July 1994.

 

 

 

Second, it is to be reviewed at five yearly intervals, taking into consideration market conditions.

 

Third, the cost of running and maintenance of the four villas retained by the Government is borne by the New Mauritius Hotels.

 

The House may wish to note that the monthly rental was last reviewed in 1994, where it was increased to Rs15,000 per villa.

 

New Mauritius Hotels Ltd does not owe any arrears.

 

 

EX-TEA BELT SUGAR PLANTERS

 

(No. B/175) Mr M. Dowarkasing (Third Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources whether, in view of the various problems faced by the ex-tea belt sugar planters and the huge amount of public funds involved, he will consider the advisability of arranging for an inquiry to be carried out on the whole project.

 

Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, Government has decided that the Director of Audit carries out an in-depth inquiry into the issue and submits a report.

 

 

 

HADJ PILGRIMS FOR YEARS 2002-2004 –

 ACCOMMODATION CONTRACTS

 

(No. B/176) Dr. R. Beebeejaun (Second Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis Central) asked the Minister of Arts & Culture whether he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Islamic Cultural Centre in its capacity as Hadj organiser for years 2002, 2003, 2004 and communicate to the House –

 

(a)   copies of the necessary documents signed with the different hotels in Makka and Madina regarding accommodation of pilgrims and the name of the person who signed them, and

(b)  details of the package prices offered by the Centre to the pilgrims for the period mentioned.

 

Mr Ramdass: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am advised by the Islamic Cultural Centre that the accommodation contracts for Makka and Madina for Hadj for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 were signed as follows –

 

Year 2002    Hon. S. Soodhun and Mr Reshad Uteem for the Mauritius Hadj mission and Mr Hisham Marzogi for the Al Khutbi company.

 

Year 2003    Hon. S. Soodhun and Mr Reshad Uteem for the Mauritius Hadj mission and Mr Mansoor Hussein Rava for the Al Mansoor Establishment.

 

Year 2004    For 349 Hadjis, Mr Reshad Uteem and Mr Mohamad Mownah for the Mauritius Hadj mission and Mr A.K. Kamran for the Al Mansoor Establishemnt.  For 154 other Hadjis, Mr Reshad Uteem for the Mauritius Hadj mission and Mr A.K. Kamran for the Al Mansoor Establishment.

 

I am tabling copies of these accommodation contracts.

 

Regarding the package prices offered by the Centre to the pilgrims for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, I am tabling the relevant documents.

 

 

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister inform the House whether there is any margin between what has been charged at the hotels and what has been charged to the pilgrims?

 

          Mr Ramdass: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have circulated the documents.  Unfortunately, I am not in a position to give any information.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Can the Minister inform the House whether there has been any overcharging and, if so, where the money has gone?

 

          Mr Ramdass: I repeat, Mr Speaker, Sir, that I have tabled all the documents and I would ask the hon. Member to go through them and get the answers.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: But, I am sure that the Minister, who is responsible to answer the question, must have looked at the documents himself.  So, would he now inform the House what happened to the money?

 

          Mr Ramdass: No, Sir.

          The Prime Minister: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, Sir.  This kind of insinuation…

(Interruptions)

          Mr Speaker: Order, please!

          The Prime Minister: It started as a question: whether there has been overcharging and, if yes, where the money has gone.  Then, the second question is, as a fact, ‘where has the money gone?' Mr Speaker, Sir.  This is unacceptable.

 

(Interruptions)

          Mr Speaker: Order, please!  The Prime Minister is raising a point of order.  Let me listen to the point of order and then I will decide whether it is a point of order or not. 

 

          The Prime Minister: At first it was put as a question: whether there has been overcharging and, if yes….

 

(Interruptions)

 

          Mr Speaker: I understand the point the hon. Prime Minister is trying to make. This is why I always insist that you put questions.  When a question has been put to a Minister, you should listen to the reply first and then further questions can be put.  The hon. Member is asking whether there has been overcharging, let the Minister answer whether there has been overcharging or not, then you can ask the question as to where the money has gone.  I think the Prime Minister is right as this is a statement.  When a Member is making a statement instead of putting a question, I can ask him to substantiate that. 

 

The hon. Member asks the Minister whether there has been any margin between what has been charged and what has been paid. We can expect the Minister who is responsible for the file to say whether there has been a margin or not.  If he is not able to say, he can say that he does not know.  He cannot just keep quiet and ask the Member to go through the document which has been laid on the Table.

 

(Interruptions)

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Keep quiet, you are not standing….

 

(Interruptions)

 

          Mr Speaker: Order!  Hon. Beebeejaun, put your question again. 

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: The Minister has the dossier.  He has seen it.  I would like him to inform the House that there is irregularity. The second question arises from the non-answer of the first…

 

(Interruptions)

 

 

You would not have to teach anybody…

 

 

          Mr Speaker: Order, please.  Order!

 

(Interruptions)

 

Order, hon. Beebeejaun.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: They are using money from Hajees…

 

(Interruptions)

 

          Mr Speaker: Order please! Order.  Hon. Beebeejaun, I am calling you to order.  I can suggest to you to go through the file and if there is a margin between the amount charged and that paid, then you can come with another question.

 

          Dr. David: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister must have read the file and should know the answer.  Why is he hiding?

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not a very complex subject.  It is a question of two figures.  One for the charges and what has been charged.  Only two figures and we can have them from the Minister.

 

 

CALL SERVICES LTD. - HARASSMENT –

 ALLEGATIONS

 

          (No. B/177) Dr. R. Beebeejaun (Second Member for Port Louis South & Port Louis Central) asked the Minister of Information Technology & Telecommunications whether he has been made aware of representations regarding harassment against women employees at the call centres and, if so, will he inquire about same from the Mauritius Telecom Chairman, Chief Executive or from the Human Resources Department to whom such representations had been made.

 

          Mr Jeeha: Sir, I am advised by the Mauritius Telecom that several members of Senior Management of the Company have received an unsigned letter where allegations of improper behaviour towards female employees of Call Services Ltd. (a subsidiary of Mauritius Telecom) were made against a named person.  The person accused in the anonymous letter was confronted with the contents thereof by the Chief Executive and Executive Director for Human Resources Department.  He has opposed a strong denial to the contents of the letter.  Since December 2003, he has been returned to his initial department as he was only in an acting capacity at Call Services Ltd.

 

          Mauritius Telecom Management has conducted an investigation into the allegations made.  In the absence of the identity of the alleged victims, Mauritius Telecom has so far been unable to confirm the facts alleged in the letter.

 

          The matter was brought to the attention of the Mauritius Telecom Board at its last meeting.  It was decided that Mauritius Telecom would assist the Human Rights Commission to whom the letter was copied, should the latter decide to inquire.

 

          Mauritius Telecom has officially written to the officer named in the letter to inform him that it will fully support any inquiry carried out by the Human Rights Commission.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Sir, when was the Human Rights Commission apprised of this complaint?

 

          Mr Jeeha: The reply that I gave is that it was decided that Mauritius Telecom would assist the Human Rights Commission to whom the letter was copied.  So, we do not know.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Sir, this is a problem about sexual harassment.  You do not expect anyone to sign a letter.  But if the content of the letter is so damning, I do not think you need an in-depth inquiry.  I'll put the letter on the Table of the Assembly as well as the complaint.  Two weeks ago I asked a question as to whether the Sex Discrimination section of the Human Rights Commission is functioning and I was told by the Prime Minister that everybody, the backbenchers and so on should know.  It looks as if nobody seems to know.  Since December, that is, since three months this case has not been referred to the Human Rights Commission properly!

 

          Mr Jeeha: Mr Speaker, Sir, one case of sexual harassment is one too many in the name of good governance.  Now, the company …

 

(Interruptions)

          Mr Speaker: Hon. Beebeejaun, I have been very patient with you.  You have started the bad habit of making comments all through.  Be careful, please!

 

Mr Jeeha: As I have said, Sir, the company is doing the needful.  The letter, unfortunately, is unsigned.  Should the Human Rights Commission decide to go ahead with the case, the company will have no difficulty to cooperate.

 

Dr. Beebeejaun: What is happening to this very daring officer?

 

Mr Jeeha: We do not know the identity of those officers, but the remedial action has already been taken by the company since December.

 

LES SALINES - FISH LANDING STATION

 

(No. B/178) Mr J. C. Barbier (First Member for GRNW & Port Louis West) asked the Minister of Fisheries whether, in regard to the fish landing station project at Les Salines, Port Louis, he will state the progress achieved so far thereon since the site visit effected by the then hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

 

Mr Michel: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no fish landing station at Les Salines. Fishers mooring their boats at Les Salines land their catch at Bains Des Dames Fish landing station.

 

In November 2002, a group of fishers made representations to my Ministry to the effect that they were not allowed access by the Mauritius Ports Authority to the mooring place at Les Salines near the Bulk Sugar Terminal which is a restricted area.

 

In this context, the then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance effected a site visit on 23 November 2002  at  Les Salines.

 

After discussions with all parties, Government decided that temporary access passes would be issued to all fishers who were mooring their boats at Les Salines pending the construction by Mauritius Ports Authority of an alternative access road to a new site already identified.

 

Sixteen fishers and 27 helpers were thus issued with access passes by the MPA on the recommendation of my Ministry. Further, I have been instructed that the MPA has not yet started the construction of the new road.

 

          Mr Barbier: Mr Speaker, Sir, we have been talking of this project since November 2002. Whether it is going to be done by the MPA or whatever party, I think it is the Ministry of Fisheries which is the first concerned about it.   This Ministry has the responsibility to see to it that this project is going on.  So, I am very…

 

          Mr Speaker: What is the question?

 

          Mr Barbier: My question is: is it the Ministry of Fisheries which will take the responsibilities to put this project forward?

 

          Mr Michel: Mr Speaker, Sir, this area is under the responsibility of the MPA not under my Ministry and, therefore, any work which has to be done, should be done by the MPA, not by my Ministry.

 

          Mr Barbier: May I ask the Minister whether there is any committee where his officer or himself is liaising with the MPA on this project?

 

          Mr Michel: Mr Speaker, Sir, it was intended to build a new access road there and probably a mooring place, but this does not depend upon my Ministry.  It depends upon the MPA.

 

          Mr Dulloo: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is most inhuman. 
Apart from the fishermen of Les Salines who are having difficulties of access to the various facilities to go to their normal fishing activities, there is also the problem of fish landing station; there is the problem of access not only for the fishermen of Les Salines, but all the harbour region also. May I ask the hon. Minister whether he will take upon himself, as Minister of Fisheries, to go and meet those fishermen and to ensure that they are given access to the sea and to the various facilities, including the fish landing station?

 

          Mr Michel: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is why I have made rather a lengthy answer to what the hon. Member has asked.  We helped the fishers to get access to that area with the help of the then Deputy Prime Minister and they have not complained up to now.  

 

(Interruptions)

 

At the level of my Ministry, I have received no complaint.

 

          Dr. David: Mr Speaker, Sir, does the final decision to help these fishermen come from the Ministry of Fisheries or from the MPA?  Do we still have a Minister of Fisheries?

 

(Interruptions)

 

          At 1.00 p.m. the sitting was suspended.

 

          On resuming at 2.30 p.m. with Mr Speaker in the Chair.

 

 

 

 

BUREAU D'EDUCATION CATHOLIQUE - LOAN

 

          (No. B/179) Mr J. C. Armance (Third Member for GRNW and Port Louis West) asked the Minister of Education and Scientific Research whether he will state the amount of money made available to the Bureau d'Education Catholique by way of loan and say when it was made available and the reasons therefor.

 

          Mr Obeegadoo: Sir, I presume that the hon. gentleman is referring to loans granted by the Development Bank of Mauritius (DBM).   If that is the case, I am informed that no loan has been granted by the DBM to the Bureau d'Education Catholique.

 

SCHOLARS - INTOXICATION –

 MEDICAL INVESTIGATIONS

 

          (No. B/180) Mr A. K. Gungah (Second Member for Grand' Baie and Poudre d'Or) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether he will make a statement on the outcome of medical investigations in intoxication cases involving scholars carried out or inquired into during the last 2 months.

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: Mr Speaker, Sir, during the last two months, one incident relating to intoxication of students has been reported at Richelieu Government School, followed by two incidents at Rose Belle North Government School and one at Unity College.

 

Richelieu Government School

 

          A case of suspected food poisoning was reported to my Ministry on 10 February 2004 at Richelieu Government School, under the "Zone Education Prioritaire" (ZEP) scheme, where stuffed bread, yoghurt and banana were distributed to the school children.

 

          Fifty-three students were reported sick complaining of nausea and had developed skin rashes. They were sent to Dr. A. G. Jeetoo Hospital where they were examined by medical officers and paediatricians on the same day. Their conditions were satisfactory and none of them were admitted.

 

          The Health Inspectorate seized samples of the stuffed bread nad yoghurt which were sent on the same day to the Central Laboratory, Victoria Hospital for bacteriological examination and to the Chief Government Analyst for chemical analysis.  No chemical deterioration was detected in the samples.

 

          Bacteriological examinations showed the presence of E-coli in numbers much above the recommended mandatory level in the yoghurt samples. Accordingly, the stock of unwholesome yoghurt was seized and removed from the company.  The company has also been served with a Prohibition Order on 13 February 2004 and 11 March 2004 respectively to discontinue the manufacture of yoghurt.  It has been allowed to produce samples only for analysis purposes.

 

          Results of analysis of water samples taken at the school for investigation were found to be normal. 

 

Furthermore, on 12 February 2004, a medical check-up of the pupils was carried out by medical officers and a dermatologist.  Thirty pupils were found to have rashes, which, according to the dermatologist, were not due to food allergy but to the heat.

 

Rose Belle North Government School

 

          In respect of Rose Belle North Government School, the first incident occurred on 26 February 2004 when nine pupils and one teacher from Rose Belle North Government School attended the Emergency Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital complaining of nausea, headache and dizziness. They were examined by a medical officer and a paediatrician. Three children were admitted out of whom two were discharged the next morning. The third pupil appeared to be depressed and was examined by a psychiatrist.  He was, however, discharged the next day in the afternoon. Toxicological examination was carried out at the Government Analyst Division on blood, urine and gastric aspirates and the result was negative. Thus, from a medical point of view, no specific cause could be established.

 

          The second incident occurred on 02 March 2004 when seventeen children, seven teachers and one caretaker from the same school attended the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital complaining of irritation in the eyes and throat, headache, nausea and dizziness.  Late in the afternoon, another child attended the hospital with the same symptoms. Ten children were admitted and eight stayed overnight. Their conditions were satisfactory and they were discharged the next day.  In this case too, blood, urine and gastric aspirates were sent for toxicological examination. Results of analysis were again reported negative.

 

          About 504 students and the staff of the Rose Belle North Government School were screened and no specific health problem related to environmental pollution had been detected.

 

Unity College

 

          In respect of Unity College, on 29 March 2004, thirty six children from Unity College attended the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital complaining of burning sensation in the nostril and eyes, headache, nausea and some with  giddiness and abdominal pain.  Three of them were admitted for observation. Their conditions were found to be satisfactory.  The following morning, they were discharged after being examined by a paediatrician.

 

          Results of specimens submitted for toxicological analysis were negative.  No specific cause could be established.

 

          Mr Gungah: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. Minister whether any monitoring of the state of health of the scholars who have been intoxicated, has been carried out and, if yes, for how long has the monitoring been carried out?

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: It is an ongoing process again, Mr Speaker, Sir.  Usually, there are other Ministries also which are involved and we are closely monitoring the situation.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: May I ask the hon. Minister whether the toxicology tests were to rule out some specific suspicions or of a general nature?

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: As I said, Mr Speaker, Sir, toxicological examinations were carried out.  As to whether they were specific or general, I don't know.

 

 

PRIMARY SCHOOLS  (STATE) -

HEAD TEACHERS - REQUESTS

 

(No. B/181) Dr.  R. Jeetah (First Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Education and Scientific Research whether he will, in respect of the period July 2002 to June 2003, give the number of requests made by head teachers of primary Government schools as regards -

 

(a)   health and safety;

(b)  infrastructure, and

(c)  IT and whether he will give details in respect of each item.

 

          Mr Obeegadoo: Sir, I am given to understand that requests made by head teachers of State primary schools are considered as routine matters.  Requests are made on a quasi daily basis and can be either verbal or written. Same are then channelled to the respective zonal directorates through the primary school inspectorate.  There is, therefore, no record of each and every request made to allow for precise figures to be computed as regards total number of requests made by head teachers in respect of any particular period.  These requests may pertain to the improvement of the school environment, security and safety of schoolchildren and staff or other matters. 

 

However, independently of requests received from head teachers, pursuant to policy decisions, major initiatives have emanated from the Ministry proper, for instance, the construction of new primary schools at Grand Sable, Bambous and Plaine Verte.  Another example would be the redefinition of norms and standards for school toilets and the launching of a very ambitious campaign to renovate and upgrade toilets in schools.

 

          As a result of the combination of the above two procedures, requests from head teachers and initiatives of the Ministry proper, over a period of three years projects such as water logging and blocked drains, installation of fire extinguishers and cleaning/replacement of gutters have been implemented.  Fire extinguishers have been provided in some 30 schools so far, of which one could quote the example of Arsenal State primary school and Nicolay State primary school.  Gutters have been replaced at Adolphe De Plevitz State primary school at La Laura and GRSE State primary school.  I am equally informed that shelters, road humps, zebra crossings or handrails have been provided when the need is badly felt.  Two such schools are Grand Bay State primary school and Jean Lebrun State Primary school, Port Louis.

 

          Requests concerning infrastructural works relate essentially to leakages, electrical works, fencing/erection of block walls and construction of additional classrooms.  Water roofing works have been carried out at the New Pailles State primary school and l'Esperance State primary school.  Fencing works at Soortee Sunnee State primary school, Port Louis are near completion.  Electrical works have been completed at Marcel Cabon State primary school, Cité La Cure and Dr. E. Millien State Primary School, Port Louis.  The construction of boundary walls at Nuckchady State primary school, Rose Hill and Reverend Walter State primary school, Quartier Militaire has also been undertaken.  Eight new classrooms and a new toilet block have been built at Dr. I. Goomany State primary school, Plaine Verte; likewise extension works for 4 classrooms have been completed at Bon Accueil State primary school.  Roches Brunes State primary school has been favoured with an additional four classrooms.

 

          As mentioned earlier, Government has embarked on an unprecedented programme for the upgrading and construction of toilet blocks in a number of primary schools (nearly finished).  The implementation of this project spans over several years.  A contract has already been awarded to the Development Works Corporation for the construction of new toilet blocks in six primary schools, Quatre Cocos, Congomah, Union Park, Wooton, Mohunlall Mohit at L'Avenir and Remy Ollier, Rose Hill. 

 

Works have already started in the first four and are expected to be completed by the end of June 2004 and works are due to start shortly in another eight schools, which are the Vale, Calebasses, Cottage, Moka, Shri R. Gandhi, Flacq, Henrietta, Barlow, Chooroomoney at Quatre Bornes.

 

          Dr. Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the hon. Minister. Will the hon. Minister inform the House as to the estimated costs of acceding to such  requests?

 

          Mr Obeegadoo: If a substantive question is put, Sir, I shall be delighted to furnish the details which would testify to the massive investment that this Government has made in education and training.

 

          Dr. Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the hon. Minister explain to the House how is it that he has not spent 89% of the sum budgeted for improvement and maintenance of primary schools?

 

(Interruptions)

 

I refer the hon. Minister to the document provided before.  Will the hon. Minister not concede that he has failed in his duty towards primary schools, when out of Rs225 m. allocated for the welfare of children, he failed to use 89%?

 

          Mr Obeegadoo: That will be for the people of Mauritius to judge at the appropriate time, Sir.

 

 

 

 

 

CONSTITUENCY NO. 7 - 

SPORTS AND LEISURE FACILITIES

 

(No. B/182) Dr. R. Jeetah (First Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Youth and Sports whether he is aware of any problems faced by the youths of Constituency No. 7 with regard to sports and leisure and, if so, will he state what remedial measures he proposes to take in connection therewith.

 

          Mr Yerrigadoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a fact that sports and leisure facilities have greatly increased and been improved under this Government.  We recognise the critical success factor that young people represent in the development process of our country, that is why my Ministry has enlisted their active collaboration and participation in the mounting of activities specially meant for them.  Our policy is based on youth empowerment and dispensed through our youth centres throughout the country.

 

          The needs and aspirations of our youths change rapidly and we are constantly revisiting our services and implementing new ways and means to address these issues.

 

          In No. 7, prior to September 2000, there was but a small 'Maison de Jeunes' en décrépitude total, which hardly catered for the youths.  There is since 2001 a youth centre operational offering a wide range of activities, like -

Leadership courses to  help the youths address responsibly social problems

 

Community based programmes

 

National Youth Achievement Award Scheme

 

Entrepreneuriat Jeunesse

 

Oscar de la Jeunesse

 

Population and Family Life Education

 

Adolescent Development Programme

 

Youth Exchange Programmes

 

'A Nous les Vacances'

 

It must be noted that there is a concerted approach in Government whereby my Ministry not only works with other Ministries, but also local authorities, community centres and NGOs to give  more and better sports and leisure activities to our youths in No. 7 and throughout the country.

 

As the hon. Member is aware, a modern youth centre is under construction in Rivière du Rempart with both a conference/youth hall polyvalent and a gymnasium.  Works are expected to finish by end of June this year.  This will soon, no doubt,  become a favourite meeting place of the youths of No. 7 to exchange ideas and take part in healthy youth, sports and leisure activities.

 

There is also since 2001 a new youth centre at Pamplemousses, which caters for part of No. 7, namely Plaines des Papayes.

 

The swimming pool at Rivière du Rempart organises swimming courses and natation loisirs everyday as well on Saturdays and Sundays, catering for different age groups and has an excellent occupancy rate.  It also caters during day time for the nearby schools and college students.

 

The Ministry, together with the National Youth Council and Regional  Youth Council of Rivière du Rempart, regularly organises activities for youth clubs.  Recently, for instance, on the 14^th of March, in Belle Vue Maurel there was a community development programme:  Fun run sports activities on several days, which ended on the 14^th;  inter-college quiz and debate competitions and elocution contests are also held on a regular basis.  The 'A Nous Les Vacances' programme is ongoing with activities ranging from hiking, camping to educational visits as well as special tariffs to places like Belle Mare Waterpark and l'Aventure du Sucre.

 

The hon. Member will be pleased to note that nearly 800 youths from No. 7 participate in the Easter edition of 'A Nous Les Vacances' each year and over a thousand in the August and December editions respectively.

 

          However, the youth officers, with the collaboration of youth clubs and volunteers, are constantly exploring new ways and means to attract the youth into healthy sports and leisure activities by carrying out leadership courses and forming more peer educators and diversifying the community based projects.

 

          There are also many regional Ecoles de Sport which are operational.  Additionally, this Ministry is constructing new infrastructure like football grounds and pétanque courts  to meet the increasing demand.

 

          There is, therefore, Mr Speaker, Sir, clearly an unprecedented investment by this Government to provide healthy sports and leisure activities for the youths, be it for No. 7 or throughout the island.

 

          Dr. Jeetah:  Mr Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that there isn't any single sports facility in the village of Panchavati?

 

          Mr Yerrigadoo: The hon. Member surely knows the size of the village of Panchavati and the efforts being done to cater for the football clubs.  In fact, there are two.  They use the Rohit Boolakee Stadium in Rivière du Rempart, on which lighting facilities are currently being installed, so that these young people may have healthy youth activities.  The hon. Member should also be aware that in February there was a community based programme for the youths of Panchavati as part of an integrated approach, including the nearby village of Pointe de Lascars.

 

Dr. Jeetah: Mr  Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that there isn't any single sports facility in the village of Desjardins?

 

Mr Yerrigadoo: The village of Desjardins forms part of Belle Vue Maurel and if the hon. Member knows the topography of Desjardins, he would know that they are serviced nearby by, at least, one football pitch and leisure facilities in Belle Vue Maurel. There is the same in l'Amitié as well. Dr. Hookoom could probably brief the hon. Member on the matter.

 

Dr. Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the hon. Minister aware that there isn't any single sports facility in the village of Pont Praslin as well?

 

Mr Yerrigadoo: The hon. Member would note once again, that a community centre is soon to be built in Pont Praslin and that the villages - I can anticipate the hon. Member's question - of Ville Bague, Pont Praslin and Petite Julie will soon be serviced by a football ground to cater for the needs of the inhabitants. Probably the hon. Member would be coming on that, the volleyball pitch of Petite Julie has just been redone and there is a petanque court which has been done there as well.

 

Mr Dowarkasing: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the hon. Minister inform the House whether there was any development in sports infrastructure between 1996 and 2000 in that Constituency?

 

Mr Yerrigadoo: I think the people of the Republic of Mauritius know that better, Sir and surely,...

 

(Interruptions)

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Order please!

 

(Interruptions)

 

Order! Order please! Hon. David, put your question!

 

 

DEBARCADERE, MAHEBOURG –

FISH LANDING STATION

 

(No. B/183) Dr. J. B. David (Fourth Member for GRNW  and Port Louis West) asked the Minister of Fisheries whether, with regard to  the fish landing station at Débarcadère, Mahebourg, he will state if any meeting was held recently at his Ministry to discuss changes in its location and functioning and, if so, the outcome thereof.

 

Mr Michel: Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the fish landing station of Mahebourg, commonly called Mare Chicose, complaints were received in March 2003 from a group of fishers registered there to the effect that, following the construction of the Mahebourg Waterfront, they were encountering difficulties in carrying out their fishing activities.

 

After two meetings held with the fishers on 24 and 31 March 2003 at my Ministry, a site visit was effected on 26 May 2003 at Mare Chicose.  About 30 fishers were present and were represented by Counsel. On that day, the fishers had intimated that they could not use the fish landing station until and unless the area be dredged to provide for appropriate manoeuvring of boats and the newly constructed jetty by the State Property Development Company (SPDC) Ltd. be properly modified.

 

Another meeting took place on 17 June 2003 to look into the question of improvement to the jetty, but during that meeting the fishers did not wish to discuss the issue, because their lawyer was not present. However, the representative of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was requested to make suggestions regarding improvements that could be carried out.  On 08 September 2003, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure proposed either the construction of a landing platform connected with the actual jetty or alternatively that the existing jetty be pulled down and replaced by a concrete one.

 

On 30 October 2003, the SPDC informed my Ministry that it would not contribute financially to the project. I, therefore, decided that the improvement works be included in the Capital Projects of my Ministry.

 

At the request of the professional fishers of Mahebourg, I held a meeting on 18 March 2004 where the president of the association referred to the second phase of the Mahebourg Waterfront Project. It was decided to effect a site visit at the Mahebourg fish landing station on 26 March 2004 whereby the SPDC would make a presentation of phase II of its project to fishers and would identify a new site for the construction of a fish landing station.

 

          However, the visit was postponed in view of the sitting of the National Assembly on that day in the afternoon and a fresh visit was scheduled for 01 April 2004.

 

This meeting was cancelled as, in the meantime representations were made by five fishers associations, including the professional fishers of Mahebourg, through a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and copied to me. In that letter, the fishers had inter alia raised objection to the displacement of the fish landing station.

 

Another meeting with the representatives of the professional fishers of Mahebourg was convened on 06 April 2004 at my Ministry, but its president informed my Ministry that he would not be able to attend, because it had not been possible for him to contact all members of his association.

 

In the meantime, my Ministry was informed by the Financial Secretary that the fish landing station (land and building) would be reverted back to the SPDC.

 

Arrangements are being made by my Ministry to call another meeting with the professional fishers of Mahebourg.

 

Dr. David: Mr Speaker, I have one very simple question. Is the Ministry of Fisheries envisaging the possibility of changing the location of this fish landing station?

 

Mr Michel: Sir, before attempting anything, I think we should discuss with the fishers, because as I have said in my reply, I have previously tried to change that. The fishers were against. Now, they have informed us that they don't want the displacement of that fish landing station.

 

Dr. David: So, there has been consultation. The Ministry wants to change, the fishermen do not want to change. What will be the stand of the Ministry?

 

Mr Michel: This is going to be discussed with the fishers, Sir.

 

Dr. David: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has just said that the fishermen have refused. There have consequently been discussions. The Ministry wants to change, the fishermen do not want to change. Now what will be the issue?

 

Mr Michel: Sir, we have to consult; we had a lot problems because of that jetty. This is why I think we have to consult the fishers in the first place.

 

Dr. David: Mr Speaker, Sir, have the fishermen been consulted? Yes or no?

 

Mr Michel: Sir, I invited them to meet me during this month. I have said that they could not attend that meeting, because they were unable to contact members of their association. I will have another meeting to discuss the issues with them.

 

Mr Dulloo: May I ask the hon. Minister whether at the beginning of this month, there was a meeting arranged with all fishermen concerned at Mahebourg? All the fishermen did not go out at sea and waited for the Minister, who did not turn up. It was a real poisson d'avril.

 

Mr Michel: Sir, if the hon. Member had listened to what I said, he would not have put such a question.

 

Dr. David: Mr Speaker, can we know the reason why the Ministry wants to change the fish landing station? Can we know the real reason not the one that the Minister is going to give?

 

(Interruptions)

 

Mr Michel: Sir, I have something to say. I know that I do not have the zeal of Dr. Burty David. This morning he just put a very nasty question to me and I did not answer. He knows that I was elected, and he was not.

 

(Interruptions)

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Order, hon. David!

 

TECHNICAL SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND - DIRECTOR - POST

          (No. B/184) Dr R. Jeetah (First Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Education and Scientific Research whether, in regard to the post of Director, Technical School Management Trust Fund (TSMTF) which is vacant since April 2002, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to -

(a)              the names, dates of appointment, tertiary qualifications of the Managers of the TSMTF as at that date, and

(b)             the names of those officers who have been acting as Director and their respective dates of actingship.

Mr Obeegadoo: Sir, the information regarding part (a) of the question is being tabled.

As regards part (b), I wish to inform the House that no officer has been acting as Director of the Technical School Management Trust Fund.  However, Mrs Y. Benoit, who holds a substantive post of Manager, has been assigned the duties of officer-in-charge at the Technical School Management Trust Fund with effect from 01 April 2002.

The House may wish to be informed that the scheme of service for the post of Director has now been prescribed and that steps have been taken for the post to be advertised.

Dr. Boolell: Can I ask the Minister of Education when will the post be advertised?

Mr Obeegadoo: Any time, Sir.

Dr. Boolell: If the Minister would recall in a reply given to a question put to Minister Fowdar, who was replacing him then - that was almost two years ago - said that Government would act promptly, that the scheme of duties would be reviewed and the post would be advertised. Already two years have gone and we are still waiting for the post to be advertised.  Either the post has been tailor-made for somebody or else Government is having fun dilly-dallying on this very important issue. Why is it that Government does not take a decision and act promptly?

Mr Obeegadoo: Mr Speaker, let me make this clear. In all humility, I do not believe I have any lesson to take.  This post was not advertised in the past.  When I assumed office, we had a retired Director who was on contract.  We decided to advertise and recruit in a transparent manner.  The scheme of service, which we inherited, would not have allowed anybody from within to apply.  We decided to go for an amendment of the scheme of service.  And then there were other difficulties.  We decided to make the post open both for people from within and for people from outside.  From outside, it would have to be contractual.  From within, it would have to be naturally permanent establishment.  So, there had been many difficulties.  I am happy to state that now everything is being done and the post will be advertised any day as from now.

Dr. Beebeejaun: This is an identical reply to the one given in November 2002 - that is many, many months ago - and the post was going to be filled early next year, meaning early January/February 2003.  So, we are already about 15 months late.  May I ask one simple question?  Is the senior most person in that Trust Fund doing the actingship or is it somebody else?

Mr Obeegadoo: I cannot answer that question, Sir.  What I can say is that everything is being done as it should be.  We are not delayed.  The TSMTF is functioning properly. As Minister I am fully satisfied with the performance of the officer-in-charge and I have said this to the Opposition before. If you go through the TSMTF Act, the Minister of Education has a quasi power of veto, because such nominations have to be approved by the Minister; and the previous Government did not think it fit to change that.  However, we have decided to advertise and recruit in an objective and transparent manner and that is what we shall do.

Dr. Beebeejaun: Can I ask the Minister if the advertisement for filling the post is on a new scheme of service or the same existent scheme of service?

Mr Obeegadoo: It is on the basis of the amended scheme of service.

Dr. Beebeejaun: Is it going to be on a contractual basis or on a permanent basis?

 

(Interruptions)

 

Mr Obeegadoo: If only Members of the Opposition had the courtesy to listen when answers are given, they would have understood. The problem was while I was answering Members were busy making a lot of noise about other matters.  I have already answered, Mr Speaker, Sir.

Dr Jeetah: Mr Speaker, Sir, to settle the matter, would the Minister give us an indication of time? Is it going to take days, weeks or months?

Mr Obeegadoo: Mr Speaker, the matter has been referred to the Board of the Technical School Management Trust Fund. Under this Government, the Board is given full autonomy to advertise the post as it thinks proper.

Dr Jeetah: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has not answered the question.  My question was: how much time does he need? Is this going to be matters of days, weeks or months?

Mr Obeegadoo: At any time the post is going to be advertised, Sir.

 

 

 

TOURIST MARKETS - DIVERSIFICATION

(No. B/185) Mr G. Paya (Second Member for Curepipe and Midlands) asked the Minister of Tourism and Leisure whether, having regard to the fact that the number of rooms in the hotel industry in the coming months will be on the increase, he will state if he proposes to review and change the strategy of his Ministry regarding the diversification of the tourist markets.

The Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources (Mr N. Bodha): With your permission, Mr Speaker, Sir, I will answer this question.

The growth in the tourism sector is indicative of the confidence investors have in our country.  It is a fact that there will be a substantial increase in the number of rooms by the end of the year taking into consideration the hotel development projects particularly in the south.

I wish to inform the House that our main strategy is to position our country as a quality destination. It is not intended to change this strategy taking into consideration the positive results obtained so far.  However, tactical changes in respect of each market are brought about on a regular basis to tap emerging markets.

We are working on a rapid response strategy to meet unforeseen demands.  Accordingly, the main thrust is to consolidate the image in core markets and to explore possibilities to optimise arrivals of emerging markets.  In this connection, following the grant of the approved destination status by China, promotions will be carried out as soon as the relevant agreement is signed. The direct flight to Sydney which starts today will help to increase traffic from Australia.

 

EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES - DIRECT FLIGHTS

(No. B/186) Mr G. Paya (Second Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Minister of Tourism and Leisure whether, having regard to the fact that the economy of different Eastern European countries namely, the countries forming part of the ex-USSR, is on the increase yielding, inter alia, high spending power to holiday makers, he will -

(a)              state if there is a plan with the national airline for the operation of direct flights to and from those countries, and

(b)             for the benefit of the House, ascertain whether MTPA has a plan with the various tourist stakeholders for the increase of that market.

The Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources (Mr N. Bodha): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I am replying to this question. I am informed that tourist traffic from the Commonwealth and Independent States (CIS) which consist of the States of the former Soviet Union has increased from 3129 in 2002 to 3954 in 2004 representing an increase of 26.4%, but with a very low traffic base.

In this context, the national airline is always on the look for the prospective profitable markets.  Action is taken in keeping with demand.

Moreover, most of the tourists in these emerging markets are able to travel to Mauritius by other airlines.

For the past five years, the MTPA in partnership with the travel trade has been promoting Mauritius in the emerging markets of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Russia. Tourism and travel industry partners regularly participate in important tourism fairs and workshops held in these countries. 

In addition, educational trips for tour operators, travel agents, journalists and TV teams from these countries are organised on a regular basis to enable them to be familiar with our destination.

PESTICIDES - BANNED BY EU AUTHORITIES

(No. B/187) Mr F. Abdoola (Third Member for Stanley and Rose Hill) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources whether he is aware of the ban by EU authorities of pesticides products such as Friponil and Imcloprodide and, if so, whether Government will adopt the same course of action.

Mr Bodha:, Mr Speaker, Sir,    according to information made available, my Ministry is not aware of any formal ban by EU Authorities on Fipronil (not Friponil) and Imidacloprid (not Imcloprodide) products.  However, we are aware that recently there has been a proposal from EU to stop the use of Fipronil insecticide on agricultural products. This insecticide has recently been the subject of concern in France particularly its use as seed treatment and its effect on bees.  It is known to be a very toxic product particularly to bees. It has also been classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen.  Its sale for agricultural use has been suspended until a final decision is taken by the E.U. Authorities.

In Mauritius, insecticide Fipronil is registered and used by Pest Control Operators and not registered for use in agriculture. 

  Insecticide Imidacloprid is registered by the Pesticide Control Board and approved for use on crops. It is widely used for the control of sucking pests in vegetables, fruits and ornamentals owing to its high efficacy against aphids, scale insects, leafhoppers, white flies among others.  It is used as a substitute to insecticide Metamidophos (Tamaron), which has been banned by the Pesticide Control Board.  The product is known to be very highly toxic to insects, not acutely toxic to fish and has low toxicity on mammals.

Mr Speaker, Sir, there have been numerous complaints in France on the product since a long time ago mainly due to its toxicity to bees. However, it appears that the toxicity of the product to bees has not been proven. 

The ban of insecticide Imidacloprid will constitute a setback for vegetable growers especially, given its high efficacy against aphids and white flies, which not only affect plants per se, but are efficient vectors of viruses affecting several crops of economic importance, e.g. potato, tomato. A substitute would be Acetamiprid (marketed as Mospilan), which has been recommended by the MSIRI in 1999 following research work, and which is in the same family as Imidacloprid.

The decision to ban, restrict or authorise the use of pesticides in Mauritius rests with the Pesticide Control Board, and I have been informed that the latter will review its decision in the light of additional information obtained and after discussions with experts in agriculture.

 

QUARTIER MILITAIRE/MOKA - WATER SUPPLY

 

          (No. B/188) Dr. P. Ramloll (First Member for Quartier Militaire and Moka) asked the Minister of Public Utilities whether, having regard to recurrent water cuts/problems in the region of Providence, Vuillemin, Quartier Militaire, St Julien and Mont Ory, he will ascertain if a survey has been carried out and, if so, its outcome and the remedial measures taken.

 

          Mr Ganoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the CWA that the regions referred to are supplied from different service reservoirs/sources.

 

          Water supply to the region of Quartier Militaire is mainly from Alma Reservoir on an uninterrupted basis, except for the locality called Bonne Veine which is situated at a higher elevation.  Water is pumped to Bonne Veine over 10 hours daily, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m and from 3 p.m to 9 p.m.  Supply in this locality is expected to further improve after completion of La Marie Project towards end 2005.

 

          Water is supplied to the village of Providence from Quartier Militaire Reservoir and the main pipeline supplying Providence also supplies major localities in the east, including Montagne Blanche, Sebastopol, Quatre Soeurs and Grand Sable.  In view of the inadequate carrying capacity of this main pipeline, the village of Providence is being supplied at low pressure during peak hours.

 

          The CWA has investigated into the matter and will put into operation a new borehole already drilled at Melrose to improve supply not only in the village of Providence, but also in the adjoining villages of Montagne Blanche, Pellegrin and Sebastopol.

 

          The commissioning of the new borehole at Melrose and construction of the water supply network is estimated to cost about Rs19 m.  The project will be implemented at the start of the financial year 2004/05.

 

          The villages of Vuillemin, St Julien D'Hotman and Mont Ory are supplied on a 24 hour basis.  Water cuts occur during repairs/maintenance works or in case of severe drought.

 

MONT ORY/BOIS CHERI - CREMATION GROUND

 

          (No. B/189) Dr. P. Ramloll (First Member for Quartier Militaire and Moka) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rodrigues whether, in view of the lack of a crematorium in the region of Mont Ory/Bois Chéri, he will state if the has taken remedial mesures and, if so, will he make a statement thereon.

 

          Mr Auroomooga Putten: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed that the Moka/Flacq District Council is aware of the need for a cremation ground in the region of Mont Ory/Bois Chéri and Ripailles.  In this context, the District Council had identified a plot of land at Mon Fleury, St Pierre and the Ministry of Housing and Lands was accordingly requested to acquire the land in question.

 

          However, following inspection of the proposed site by the said Ministry, it has been found to be unsuitable, as it was near a newly constructed residential area.

 

          I am also informed that the District Council, in consultation with the Ministry of Housing and Lands and the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, is actively looking for an alternative site.

 

RODRIGUES - TELEPHONE SERVICE

 

(No. B/190) Mr C. Leopold (Fourth Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications whether, in regard to telephone services in Rodrigues, he will ascertain, for the benefit of the House -

 

(a)              the number of subscribers already connected to the network;

(b)             the number of villages having telephone booths installed, and

(c)              the present number of applications pending, indicating the reasons for any delay.

 

Mr Jeeha: Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards part (a) of the question, the number of subscribers already connected to the network in Rodrigues is 6,999.

 

In regard to part (b), the number of telephone booths installed in 62 villages in Rodrigues is as follows -

 

                   Cardphone            -        56

                   Coinphone            -        41

                   Pointphone            -        20

                                                         

In regard to part (c), the number of pending applications for telephone which was 2,500 at the beginning of 2003 had been brought down to 866.  New applications are being connected at an average rate of 57 per month.  At this rate, all those on the waiting list who are located in areas where network is available will be connected by end 2004.

         

          Mr Leopold: Mr Speaker, a lot of efforts is being done to improve telephone network in Rodrigues, but still, we have many villages which are isolated where there is not even a telephone booth.  Can I impress upon the hon. Minister to see to it that the needful is done, at least, in these isolated regions of Rodrigues?

         

Mr Jeeha: Yes, Sir, I shall look into the matter.  But for the information of the hon. Member, Mauritius Telecom is introducing mobile telephone in these villages where it is not possible to lay the network. To date there are some 7085 mobile telephones in these places.

         

 

RODRIGUES - BALADIROU SCHOOL CAMP –

TELEPHONE SERVICE

 

(No. B/191) Mr C. Leopold (Fourth Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications whether he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to when the telephone service, including the provision of telephone booths, will be extended to the Baladirou school camp.

         

Mr Jeeha: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed that development in Baladirou School Camp was earmarked in Mauritius Telecom development project of last year.  This development could not be carried out as way leave for carrying out civil works to Baladirou Camp was not granted to Mauritius Telecom by the Commission for Public Infrastructure.

 

          Mauritius Telecom has again planned to develop this area in the new project under evaluation in this year provided way leave is obtained.

 

          I would, however, like to mention that the area under reference is presently covered by mobile phones.

         

Mr Leopold: The region of Baladirou again is an isolated area.  Recently, there have had many cases where tourists were assaulted at Baladirou.  Can I ask again the hon. Minister to see to it that, at least, a telephone booth be installed near the beach of Baladirou as a safety measure for tourists?

         

Mr Jeeha: Sir, actually, we are very conscious of the very particular type of specific problems as far as connectivity is concerned in Rodrigues.  For this reason, the ICTA is presently devising the Universal Service Obligation Programme.  The outer islands, especially Rodrigues, will be given a good attention when the Universal Service Fund will be set up.  Projects of this nature will be funded out of the Universal Service Fund.

 

 

 

 

RODRIGUES - INTERNET FACILITIES

 

(No. B/192) Mr C. Leopold (Fourth Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications whether, in regard to Internet facilities in Rodrigues, he will state the steps he intends to take to increase the debits towards Rodrigues so as to reduce time and money wastage by users, especially by reason that the tariff is the same in Redrigues as in mainland Mauritius.

 

Mr Jeeha: Mr Speaker, Sir, the facilities provided by Telecom Plus, the only Internet Service Provider in Rodrigues, are Dial-up access and leased line facilities.  Leased line facilities for businesses are being provided at speeds of 64 kbps and 128 kbps for IP/Frame Relay.

 

Dial-up access in Rodrigues is currently at 33.6 kbps and steps are being taken by Telecom Plus to provide access during the current year at 56 kbps.  Some 600 customers are currently accessing Internet through Dial-up in Rodrigues.

 

Mauritius Telecom has advised that it is in a position to provide additional Internet bandwidth at this stage in Rodrigues.

 

          Mr Leopold: Mr Speaker, Sir, if the debits of Internet are increased in Rodrigues it will boost up the number of internauts in the island.  Will the Minister see to it that the needful is done promptly?

         

Mr Jeeha: There is a public access point programme that will be developed by the ICT Authority and this particular issue will be addressed under that programme.

 

 

CLINIQUE DARNE - CARDIAC SERVICES

 

(No. B/193) Dr. B. Hookoom (Second Member for Piton and Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether he will state if his Ministry has any droit de regard on the high-tech cardiac services being offered at the Clinique Darné.

 

Mr A. Jugnauth: Mr Speaker, Sir, private health institutions are governed by the provisions of the Private Health Institution Act of 1989.  In accordance with the abovementioned legislation, my Ministry is responsible for the licensing, supervision and control of these health institutions.  According to this legislation, my Ministry has more than a 'droit de regard' on the high-tech services offered by the Clinique Darné.

 

In fact, under section 9 of the Act, my Ministry is empowered to ask private health institutions to furnish such documents or information as may be required in relation to -

 

(a)              medical or nursing personnel employed;

(b)             any drug or equipment used in the institution, and

(c)              techniques and procedures applied in the treatment and care of the patients in the institution.

 

In line with established practice, before the issue or renewal of a licence to a clinic, a site visit is effected on the premises of the clinic by a team of officers from my Ministry so as to ascertain that all conditions are being complied with.  With regard to Clinique Darné, it has fulfilled the basic conditions required to carry out cardiac surgery safely in terms of infrastructure, equipment and the availability of highly qualified medical and paramedical staff.

         

Dr. Hookoom: Can the Minister inform the House of the number of cases of cardiac surgery that has been performed at the said clinic?

         

Mr A. Jugnauth: According to statistics available, for the month of February 2003 to 2004, Clinique Darné has performed 331 cases, including 6 open heart surgery cases, 210 angiography and 150 angioplasty.

         

Dr. Hookoom: Can the Minister give the number of successful and unsuccessful cases?

         

Mr A. Jugnauth: I do not have the information, Sir.

         

Dr. Hookoom: Are all clinics where cardiac services are available fully equipped for emergencies?

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: As far as Clinique Darné is concerned, I have already said that it satisfies the criteria.  There is only one other clinic that does open-heart surgery. Before the licence was granted to that clinic, similar checks were done and they also satisfied the conditions under the law.  Therefore, both clinics in the private sector that are doing open-heart surgery are fully equipped.

 

 

CARDIAC CENTRE, SSRN HOSPITAL –

WAITING LIST

 

          (No. B/194) Dr. B. Hookoom (Second Member for Piton & Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Health & Quality of Life whether any monitoring is being carried out as regards patients awaiting cardiac surgery and on waiting list at Cardiac Centre at SSRN Hospital.

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed that the Cardiac Centre operates upon an average of 30 cardiac patients monthly.  However, in spite of the number of cardiac surgeries being performed, the waiting list for cardiac surgery stood at 200 (both adult and children) as at March 2004.  The waiting list for surgery is a dynamic one and depends upon the number of angiographies being performed.  An average of 35 patients undergo angiography each month, of whom about 12 are referred for cardiac surgery and put on the waiting list.

 

          A patient on the waiting list has to wait for about six months before surgery is performed.  However, cases which are considered as emergencies (main stem and similar complications) are operated upon immediately.  Patients for surgery are chosen from the national waiting list by a committee, comprising the cardiac surgeons and the cardiologists at the Cardiac Centre, which meets on a weekly basis.

 

          Patients waiting for surgery are given the necessary medical treatment and pre-operative measures are taken, which include advice on dieting, non-smoking habits and psychological preparation.  In addition, these patients are followed up at the Outpatient Department at the Cardiac Centre on a fortnightly basis, where their conditions are assessed until surgery is performed.  Certain patients on the waiting list, who, during their follow-up, become symptomatic and unstable, are admitted and surgery is contemplated urgently.  Patients on the waiting list, who are followed up, are also advised to call immediately at the Centre whenever they feel a deterioration in their health condition.

 

          Dr. Beebeejaun: Can the Minister communicate to the House any figures of mortality whilst waiting?

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: I don't have these, Mr Speaker, Sir.  If the hon. Member comes with a substantive question, I will find out and give the answer.

 

          Dr. Hookoom: Can the Minister say what steps he is taking to reduce waiting lists?

 

          Mr A. Jugnauth: Mr Speaker, Sir, before, we had only one cardiac surgeon; then, we had two and now we have three.  We are trying to get more cardiac surgeons, if possible, but, as everybody knows, it is a very scarce area and it is very expensive as well.  We also need cardiologists.  There is another problem, Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to ICU beds as well as angiography and angioplasty also are done.  Therefore, all these constraints come to a waiting list of 200, which we do not consider to be that outrageous for a country like Mauritius, with 1.2 million inhabitants.  We don't consider the waiting list to be that long.  But, of course, we are trying slowly and slowly to improve.  If we can reduce it to a bare minimum, we will do it.

 

SPORTSMEN GIOVANNI FRONTIN & BRUNO JULIE –ALLOWANCES

 

          (No. B/195) Dr. B. Hookoom (Second Member for Piton & Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of Youth & Sports whether he will give the dates on which sportsmen Giovanni Frontin and Bruno Julie have been paid their respective allowances for the months of October 2003 through February 2004.

 

          Mr Yerrigadoo: Yes, Sir, payments of the high level allowance in respect of Giovanni Frontin and Bruno Julie for the months of October to December 2003 are as follows –

 

          October 2003 paid on 19 November 2003

          November 2003 paid on 17 December 2003

          December 2003 paid on 07 January this year.

 

          As regards the months of January and February, this year, payments have been withheld being given that the boxers have been suspended by their federation and are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

 

          Should the Disciplinary Committee not retain any charges against them, their allowances would be restored with effect as from January, this year.

 

 

INDIAN WORKERS – EMPLOYMENT BY LARSEN & TOUBRO

 

          (No. B/196) Mr X. L. Duval (Fourth Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations & Employment whether he has inquired into the living and working conditions of Indian workers employed by Larsen and Toubro for the construction of the Cybercity and, if so, will he make a statement thereon.

 

(Withdrawn)

 

 

TROIS ILOTS LTEE – DEATH OF POULTRY

 

          (No. B/197) Dr. J. B. David (Fourth Member for GRNW & Port Louis West) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources whether his Ministry was informed of some 78,000 poultry death and, if so, will he –

 

(a)              state the date of such death and table copy of correspondence thereon;

(b)             state whether dead poultry was sold or offered for sale or otherwise disposed of before his Ministry was officially informed and indicate –

 

(i)                the quantity sold or offered for sale, if any, and

(ii)              the date of notification and

 

(c)              state whether a report has been submitted to him regarding the cause of death and, if so, will he table copy thereof.

 

Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I will reply to PQs B/197, B/199, B/202, B/204(c), B/207 and B/210 in the form of a statement, and if you will bear with me, the answer will a bit long.

 

          Sir, in the late afternoon of 01 April, the division of Veterinary Services of my Ministry was informed by the Ministry of Environment and the NDU of the death of around 30,000 chicken at Trois Ilots Ltée, Beau Champ. The Ministry of Environment requested my Ministry to investigate into the causes of the mass mortality.  I was neither informed by the Trois Ilots Ltée nor by the veterinary officers of the farm of the high mortality rate of chicken on the farm, as provided in the relevant provisions of the Law.

 

          Officers of my Ministry immediately contacted the Farm Manager of Trois Ilots Ltée who confirmed the information verbally. An inspection was carried out jointly by my Ministry and the Ministry of Health. It was observed that the farm had already cleared all birds and litter.

 

          A meeting was immediately held with the management of Trois Ilots Ltée, officers of my Ministry and those of the Ministry of Health. The management of Trois Ilots Ltée informed the officers of the abnormal high

 

 

mortality of broiler chickens, which started on Saturday 27 March 2004. The officers were further informed of the following –

 

(i)                between 27 and 30 March, around 31,000 broiler chicken had died. The carcasses were buried in pits of about 2 metres deep and covered with lime in a site belonging to Deep River Beau Champ Sugar Estate around 2 kms away from human habitation. It should be noted that the site had been visited on 02 April by officers of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health to their satisfaction;

 

(ii)              on 30 March and 31 March, the rest of the live flock, around 45,000, having reached slaughter age, was sent for slaughter and processing to Food and Allied Industries Ltd. However, some 12,000 carcasses were found sub-standard by the Quality Controller of the slaughterhouse and were disposed of at Mare Chicose landfill site.  Here again, neither FAIL nor the veterinary surgeons of the farms informed the Ministry, as provided  by Law;

 

(iii)     the veterinary surgeon of the farm had collected blood samples from live birds, stool, as well as organs and offals from the dead flock for further laboratory tests. The tests were negative for Gumboro, Avian flu, Newcastle diseases and salmonelosis. Cultures of stool samples were negative to pathogenic salmonella. The organ and offal samples had been sent to VetPath laboratory, South Africa, for histopathological examinations. Feed samples had been despatched to UK for toxicological examinations. Furthermore, a post mortem examination of carcasses had revealed only a severe enteritis and gizzard ulcers.

 

          I wish to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the farm had been cleaned thoroughly before the visit of the officers and that there were no materials whatsoever, from which samples could be collected for laboratory analysis, except for carcasses which had been released for sale after quality control had been effected by Food and Allied Industries Ltd. However, upon request from veterinary officers of my Ministry, FAIL

agreed to repeat further serological tests with samples from live birds in the presence of three officers to confirm preliminary results. The tests were carried out on 03 April, and the results obtained confirmed those of the tests that have already been carried out by the veterinary surgeon of FAIL independently, including the absence of infectious bronchitis.

 

          Mr Speaker, Sir, earlier on Friday 02 April, the Ministry of Agriculture declared the farm site as a suspected area, in accordance with Part III of Section 13 of the Animal Diseases Act 1925, thus restricting introduction of any animals on the farm until further notice. Furthermore, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health decided, in spite of assurances given by FAIL, to detain and remove from the sale points all carcasses which had been released previously by that company. They were kept in a cold room in isolation, under seal.

 

          Also, the Principal Veterinary Officer of my Ministry made a statement on Saturday 03 April to Pope Hennessy Police Station, Port Louis to the effect that -

 

(i)                there has been a high mortality among broiler chicken of Trois Ilots  Ltee, Beau Champ, since Saturday 27 March;

(ii)              the Ministry of Agriculture strongly suspected a disease as the cause of the problem;

(iii)            Trois Ilots Ltée had not reported the abnormal mortality to the authorities, as stipulated in Part III Section 12 of the Animal Diseases Act.

 

          After investigation by my Ministry and the Ministry of Health, the following facts have come to light -

 

(i)                about 45,000 units of chicken were sent to FAIL for processing;

(ii)              about 12,000 units of chicken were rejected on grounds of quality control ;

(iii)            about 32,000 units  equivalent to 40,653 kg were processed;

(iv)            24,171 kg were put on sale as frozen chicken and 16,482 kg as chilled;

 

          A total of 20,637 kg of frozen poultry meat has been collected and kept under seal in a cold room.

 

          I have been informed by FAIL that the results of analysis of offals received from South Africa is suggestive of nephrotic form of infectious bronchitis due to a viral infection. Results of feed samples sent by FAIL to UK have not yet been obtained.

 

          Results of bacteriological and chemical analysis carried out jointly by the officers of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture on carcasses which had been sent for sale have revealed absence of pathogens and chemicals which are harmful to public health.

 

          Mr Speaker Sir, as you may have noted, both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture have acted promptly in taking decisions to safeguard public health. The results of the post mortem examination, the serological tests and stool analysis, the histopathological tests carried out independently by FAIL as well as the serological tests carried out jointly by FAIL and my Ministry and the bacteriological and chemical test analysis carried out jointly by my Ministry and the Ministry of Health i.e no less than seven tests have all revealed that the consignment of chicken in question does not constitute any hazard to public health. Nevertheless, for double assurance, the Division of Veterinary Services of my Ministry is carrying out more in-depth tests on bone marrows on samples of carcasses detained in order to isolate and characterize the virus. These tests could not be carried out in South Africa as the organs were despatched in formaline, thereby destroying all viruses.

 

          Together with the results already obtained and with the obtention of toxicological results from UK and the further tests carried out by my Ministry, the cause or causes of death may be determined.  Government will be in a position to determine as to whether the consignment which have been detained should be released or not.  Officers of the Division of Veterinary Services of my Ministry and those of the Ministry of Health are effecting regular visits to all poultry farms to ensure absence of abnormal mortality and severe disease problems. I wish to take this opportunity to reassure the House that vigilance has been reinforced and as at today no abnormal mortality and disease symptoms have been observed.

 

          My Ministry is keeping the public informed through press communiqués of the situation to reassure them that all necessary precautions are being taken to safeguard public health and to see to it that wholesome chicken meat are put on sale.

 

          In the meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police is inquiring into the matter following the statement made by the Principal Veterinary Officer of my Ministry and matters will rest in the hands of the DPP as regards the future course of legal action to be taken.

 

          Mr Speaker, Sir, to reply to PQ 210, Trois Ilots Ltee belongs equally to Ireland Blyth Ltd, FAIL and Deep River Beau Champ SE. The latter manages the farm and Trois Ilots Ltee is a contract grower of FAIL. The latter has 7 broiler farms, 9 parent farms, 2 grandparent farms, 7 broiler farms belonging to FAIL and 7 contract growers provide broilers for processing.  An EIA application was received on 22 September 1993 at the Ministry of Environment in connection with the broiler chicken farm at Beau Champ. The EIA licence was granted to Trois Ilots Ltee on 23 February 1994.

 

          Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards veterinary control on rearing of chicken, I wish to inform that the veterinary personnel at the Animal Health Laboratory of my Ministry provides a diagnostic service for both small and large breeders. The laboratory also produces and sells poultry vaccines at a subsidized price to small producers.

 

          I would like to point out that the responsibility for effecting control for the slaughter of chicken for commercial purposes rests with the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life while my Ministry is responsible only for control of slaughter of cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and deer from feedlots for sale to public.

 

          Mr Speaker Sir, in PQ B/207, hon. Dr. Boolell has requested whether the death of the chicken on Trois Ilots  Farm Ltee is the same as that of the death of more than 5,000 poultry on a farm in Constance.  May I draw the attention of the hon. Member that in January last, the death of 16% of the stock of chicken in Constance SE was registered.  I am given to understand that 20 years back, 50,000 chicken died at Constance due to outbreak of Newcastle disease (N.C.D).  You will further note that the acceptable  mortality rate on broiler farms ranges from 6% to 12% due to seasonal factors.  The 16% mortality recently registered at Constance may be due to very severe adverse climatic conditions which have prevailed these last months.

 

Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like once more to draw the attention of the House to the effect that about seven tests have been carried out by FAIL, by my Ministry, by the Ministry of Health, jointly with FAIL and my Ministry and jointly with the Ministry of Health. All these tests have proved that there is no hazard to public health. I would, therefore, reassure this House and the public in general that my Ministry and the Ministry of Health are leaving no stone unturned to protect public health.

 

          Mr Dulloo: Sir, regarding the mortality concerned, I understand that PQ No. B/204 (c) has been answered.  Will the hon. Minister say whether there has been a high mortality rate registered as from the month of December from that particular farm, that is, the Trois Ilots farm?

 

          Mr Bodha: There is another question which I am going to answer and I am going to submit a list for the different farms.

 

          Mr Dulloo: The hon. Minister referred to the question of vaccination. 

May I ask him whether he has inquired into the question of vaccination and whether prior to that there have been regular checks to see whether the chicken at that particular farm were being vaccinated, especially that the Ministry offers service at a nominal price for that matter?

 

          Mr Bodha: Sir, from the information we got from the farm and FAIL, this has been done.

 

          Mr Dulloo: We have heard about the farms and companies concerned and I understand that the Ministry released the code product at a certain time to inform the public.  That was good, but we have not been informed about the name of the product because I understand that the enterprises have various brand names.  Can we know the name of the product so that the public can be able to identify more easily the product concerned?

 

          Mr Bodha: It is Chantecler.

 

          Dr. Boolell: Can I ask the Minister whether information has been relayed to him or to his Ministry to the effect that the veterinary of Food and Allied Industries Ltd. informed the Ministry or his colleagues who worked at the Ministry three months ago of a likely outbreak of viral disease?

 

          Mr Bodha: In fact, Mr Speaker, Sir, I got a letter from the Association of the Veterinaries just a few days back.  I inquired with the PVO and he said that he has not received any such correspondence.  I would like to say that the Animal Diseases Act dates back to 1925 and the last regulation about human hazard and food security dates back to 1984, that is, 20 years back.  When the law was passed, we did not have an industrial production of chicken, but today we have a production of 30,000 tons of chicken in this country.  So, I think that the Animal Diseases Act together with the Veterinary (Duties and Services) Act, which hon. Dr. Boolell brought to Parliament in 2000 and which have never been proclaimed and no regulation made, have to be amended.  The time has come for us together with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture to see to it that this industry which caters for one of the most popular food items should be able to control the rearing, the slaughter, the packaging and the quality for the best product to be afforded to our society.

 

          Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, it was one of the last legislation that was introduced before the dissolution of the House.  Probably, it is this Government which should have proclaimed it.

 

Regarding the meat which has been found fit for consumption by Food and Allied Industries Ltd., can I ask the Minister whether a thorough investigation was carried out, whether he is happy that all the precautions were taken and what prompted Food and Allied Industries Ltd. to discard 12,000 units?  Can we know whether a committee was set up and whether this issue of health and safety was properly addressed?

         

Mr Bodha: As far as the processing of the chicken is concerned, it took place between the 30^th and the 31^st.  We were aware of what was happening only on the 1^st.  In fact, we have to rely on the corporate ethics of the company.  That is what I have told them because a company of that reputation should be able to provide a certain number of quality control measures.  In fact, what they told us when we had a conversation was that they had taken the usual quality control and standards, the measures that they should have taken, that is why we wanted to know what was the cause of death.

         

Dr. Ramgoolam: May I just ask the Minister to clarify something?  I was noting when he was speaking.  He said that between 30^th and 31^st March, 45,000 units of chicken had been sent for slaughter and to be sold, but out of that, 12,000 carcasses were returned and were found to be sub-standard.  So, 23,000 were left. Can the Minister give a guarantee to the House that none from the 23,000 has actually been sold?

 

Mr Bodha: Some have been sold.  We have been able to retrieve 20,000 kilos out of that amount which means that some kilos have been sold.  That is why I laid a lot of stress on the fact that we have undertaken seven tests so far and we are waiting for the results of two other tests; and all the seven tests show that there is no evidence that the consignment is hazardous to human health.

 

Dr. Ramgoolam: Last Friday, a radio announced that - I cannot remember what radio - around 300, I think, dead chickens had been found at a place called La Brasserie in a very advanced state of decomposition. Where did these come from?

 

 

Mr Bodha: In fact, as soon as we heard about it from the radio, we have been trying to inquire.  I have been liaising with my colleague from the Environment and we have not been able to retrace those 300 chickens.  It has nothing to do with this consignment.

 

Dr. Ramgoolam: It has nothing to do with this consignment! It means that the Minister is not aware.  I am just asking. I know that as soon as the Minister came to know, he has acted. We are satisfied with that.  But is it not, therefore, a case of people trying to hide for commercial reasons?

 

Mr Bodha: As soon as we got the information, we, together with the Police of the Environment, we have been trying our best to retrace those 300 chickens, but we have not been able to do so.

 

Mr Dulloo: Concerning the bone marrow test referred to which, I believe, would be crucial now in the present situation, may we have the dates when it was sent and where were the samples sent for testing?

 

Mr Bodha: In fact, we did not have the offals or the stool from the dead animals. We had the carcasses. We did two series of tests together with the Ministry of Health; and then the Principal Veterinary Officer took, from the carcasses the bone marrow to be able to cultivate the virus, identify and isolate it.  I think we should be able to do it in the days to come.

 

Dr. Chady: Est-ce que le ministère a interrogé le chef vétérinaire du groupe chantecler du fait qu'il avait été averti?

 

Mr Bodha: Ils avaient accompagné les promoteurs quand ils sont venus pour qu'on puisse savoir un peu qu'est-ce qui c'était passé.  I have just learned, Mr Speaker, Sir, that the bone marrow test is being carried out at the Animal Health Laboratory of Mauritius.

 

Dr. Chady: In fact, he warned the Ministry about it. If there is no letter, that does not mean that he did not warn the Ministry.

 

Mr Bodha: Sir, I am in presence of a correspondence about this and I think he made a statement about it in the press.  In fact, I got a letter from the Chairman of the association only a few days back when the crisis had already started.

 

Dr. Jeetah: Can the hon. Minister confirm that - he mentioned the burial of such large masses of chicken - this would not leach and contaminate our natural aquifers?

 

Mr Bodha: As far as the burial of the chickens is concerned, this was done to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health.

 

Dr. Boolell: There was not only the burying of the chickens, but many of these carcasses were dumped at Mare Chicose.

 

(Interruptions)

 

          Not only treated, but dumped at Mare Chicose. There have been complaints from the villagers of Mare Chicose.  They were not only dumped.

 

(Interruptions)

 

It was only then…

 

          Mr Speaker: Hon. Boolell, put your question please! You can ask the Minister whether it was dumped.  Let him say either yes or not.

 

          Dr. Boolell: May I ask the Minister whether his Ministry was made aware of this problem by the Ministry of Environment following the dumping of carcasses at Mare Chicose?

 

          Mr Bodha: From the information I have, Mr Speaker, Sir, is that the burial and what was done at Mare Chicose was done to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health.

 

          Dr. Boolell: But then the Minister stated that his Ministry was not informed by FAIL of the dumping of these carcasses.  And now he is saying that the Ministry of Environment was satisfied that the carcasses were apparently buried.

 

          Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry was not working in isolation.  There was a committee and we had been exchanging information on all that was happening together with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health at all times.

 

          Dr. Ramgoolam: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a problem that we need to handle responsibly, but this is not so easy. The problem is that there is a perception now that there might have been an attempt to cover up.  And then there were two communiqués which came out on the same day - I think it was 06 April: one from FAIL and one was a joint communiqué from the Ministry of Health and Agriculture.  In fact, when you read them, they are contradictory. This creates again this perception that there is something that is being hidden.

 

(Interruptions)

 

Yes, but there is a contradiction in the two communiqués.

 

          Mr Bodha: As I said, we can't go by the version of FAIL. We had a certain number of tests which were carried out by FAIL; some tests were carried out together by ourselves and FAIL and some were carried out by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.  And to make assurance doubly sure, we wanted to confirm the results we got from South Africa with the ones that we are doing ourselves.  And I think it is natural that we did not have the same version as far as the problem is concerned.        

 

          Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, may we know from the hon. Minister what are the measures taken to contain the outbreak and to make sure that it does not spread to other parts of the country? Was there a crisis cell set up at his Ministry with all the stake players, breeders, processors, everybody concerned so that there is a proper exchange of information and appropriate measures taken?

 

          Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, we are monitoring the situation.  We have reinforced all our services, but as I said, the time has come for us to amend the law, come with a legislative framework to set up all the qualities and the standard measures because of what is happening.

 

          Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, this is very serious. I am talking of immediate measures.  The Minister is telling us of measures to be taken in the near future.  May we know what are the concrete measures taken to ensure that there will be no further outbreak?

 

Mr Bodha: Measures have been taken, Mr Speaker, Sir. 

         

Dr. Ramgoolam:  Just to reassure the public, would the hon. Minister be prepared to lay copy of the results of the test on the Table of the Assembly once they are ready? Because I understand that FAIL has refused to make the results public.

 

          Mr Bodha:  All the results of the test that have been given to us will be laid on the Table of the Assembly. We are also carrying out some tests and once they are ready, we'll lay a copy on the Table.

 

          Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, some sporadic tests have been carried out, yet we are not sure whether the chickens which are on the market are safe.

 

(Interruptions)

 

No, we don't know!  We don't know for certain whether there is food safety and, yet, the hon. Minister is not saying what measures have been taken to prevent the outbreak of this disease!  This is it, Mr Speaker, Sir!

 

(Interruptions)

 

How can the hon. Minister give firm assurance to the House that the chicken, which is on the shelf of the supermarket, is fit for human consumption?  This is the question, Mr Speaker, Sir.

 

(Interruptions)

 

          Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member is causing undue panic. As far as the consignment is concerned, we carried no less than seven tests.  The consignment of 20,000 kgs has been put under seal and, as far as the breeding is concerned we have been monitoring the situation throughout the country.  We have isolated the farm.

 

          Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, choice has been left to Food and Allied to process the chicken and to decide accordingly whether this is the kind of chicken that should be on the shelf.  They decided accordingly whether this chicken met the norms and standards. 

 

          The Prime Minister: On a point of order.  Again, a statement, a very serious one, has been made to the effect that Government allowed the producer to do this and that, and that is in direct contradiction with what the Minister said.

 

          Mr Bodha:  Mr Speaker, Sir, the slaughter and processing occurred on the 30^th and the 31^st and we have retrieved 20,000 kgs as soon as we were aware that something had happened.  The farm where all the chickens had been reared is no longer operating. We have been monitoring the situation throughout the country.  We have also a contingency plan to see to it that whenever we hear about anything, the officers of my Ministry can act as diligently as possible. 

 

          Dr. Boolell: Mr Speaker, Sir, I put a question some two or three weeks' ago and I stated very clearly that there has been the death of 5,000 chickens on a farm in Constance.  And, Mr Speaker, Sir, I deliberately did not raise the information so as not to create any panic.

 

          The Prime Minister:  Again, this is a statement.

 

          Dr. Boolell: It is not a statement, it is a fact! In view of the fact that chickens died on that particular farm, I would like to know whether tests were carried out and whether samples were sent overseas.  I would also like to know whether that disease which occurred on that particular farm did not spread to Trois Ilots and elsewhere.

 

          Mr Bodha:  First of all, Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as Constance is concerned, I said that there was a mortality rate of 16%, which explains the 5,000 chickens.   I said also that the mortality rate ranges from 6 to 12% according to seasonal problems, and because of what has happened during the last months with the heavy rainfall this may explain that there was a mortality rate of 16%. Since the problem that we have had, we now have an ongoing regular surveillance of all the farms since the incident of Trois Ilots.

 

          Dr. David: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the hon. Minister explain to the House the type of monitoring that has been going on?  Chickens have died on such a massive scale and then buried without the knowledge of the Ministry. 

 

          Mr Speaker: There is a monitoring.

 

          Mr Bodha: Mr Speaker, Sir, I explained the sequence of the events.  The chicken died between the 27^th and the 30^th.  They were slaughtered on the 30^th and the 31^st.  We were aware on the 1^st and we took action on the 2^nd.  That is what we have done.

 

Dr David: That's the problem, Mr Speaker, Sir.  What type of monitoring do we have? The Minister is made aware of the this three days later!

 

(Interruptions)

 

NHDC –  GLEN PARK HOUSING UNITS (FIRINGA TYPE), APPLICATIONS, ETC.

 

          (No. B/198) Mr S. Sakaram (Second Member for Vacoas and Floreal) asked the Minister of Housing and Lands and Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicraft and Informal Sector whether he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information from the NHDC as regards the criteria adopted for the allocation of Firinga type low cost housing units and indicate -

 

(a)     the number of applications received for the Glen Park housing units, Vacoas;

(b)    the deposit required;

(c)    the period of repayment, and

(d)    the names and addresses of the selected applicants.

 

 

Mr Lesjongard: Mr Speaker, Sir, at the sitting of the National Assembly on 16 March 2004, in reply to PQ No. B/42, I informed the House of the criteria that should be fulfilled by any applicant for a Firinga housing unit. 

 

These criteria are –

         

(i)                he should not be an owner of a housing unit or residential plot of land;

(ii)              he should have opened a savings account under the Plan Epargne Logement (PEL) at the Mauritius Housing Co. Ltd., and

(iii)            he should be able to pay the mortgage for the purchase of the housing unit.

 

Since Firinga type housing units are very low cost houses, the targeted group is household whose total monthly income is generally less than Rs7,500.  Moreover, to make the houses more affordable, each household earning less than that amount is entitled to a grant of Rs30,000. 

 

About 75% of housing units are allocated to applicants who satisfy the criteria that I have mentioned earlier. Generally, about 25% of units are allocated to hardship cases, e.g. families ordered by the courts to vacate their premises, fire victims, victims of cyclones and other natural disasters, and social cases referred by the Ministry of Social Security, Trust Fund for the Social Integration of Vulnerable Group and other charitable institutions.  However, the households considered that hardship cases may not be required to make any deposit, but should be able to repay the mortgage debt of the NHDC. 

 

Priority is given to applicants who reside in the localities where the housing units have been constructed.  For the Glen Park housing project, the catchment area comprised the localities of Vacoas and Phoenix. The NHDC has received 2,100 applications for these two regions.

 

With regard to the deposits, Government has waived such payment for the beneficiary of a Firinga type housing unit whose income is less than Rs7,500 per month.  However, for those willing to pay the deposit, they can do so as the monthly repayment will be reduced. 

 

The repayment period is normally 20 years and in some exceptional cases, depending on the age of the person, the price of the unit purchased, the deposit effected and the repayment capability of the beneficiary could be extended to 25 years. Generally the repayment period is taken to the number of years of active employment before the applicant reaches 60 years old.

 

 As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that the information being sought is private and confidential and that it would not be appropriate to reveal the names of the selected applicants. 

 

The NHDC would, however, be pleased to welcome the hon. Member if he so wishes to have a look at the list.

 

 

TROIS ILOTS - DEATH OF POULTRY

 

(No. B/199) Dr. S. Chady (Second Member for Port Louis Maritime and Port Louis East) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether he will make a statement on the recent sudden death of about 38,000 chickens.

 

(Vide Reply to PQ No. B/197)

 

 

 

PHARMACISTS – SHORTAGE

 

(No. B/200) Dr. S. Chady (Second Member for Port Louis Maritime and Port Louis East) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether his Ministry has ascertained if there is a real shortage of pharmacists or whether the number of pharmacies is higher than that required, and if there is a real shortage, will he state what measures have been taken to remedy the situation.

 

Mr A. Jugnauth:  Mr Speaker, Sir, according to section 18 of the Pharmacy          Act 1983, no person is authorised to operate a pharmacy unless he holds a licence and there is a pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy.

 

At present, there are 205 retail pharmacies and 29 wholesale pharmacies.  There are a total of 279 registered pharmacists, of whom 20 are employed in the public sector. Of the 259 registered pharmacists in the private –

 

Two hundred and five pharmacists work in the retail pharmacies

Twenty-nine work in the wholesale pharmacies pharmacies

Five registered pharmacists are working as managers in wholesale pharmacies

One registered pharmacist is working in a private clinic

 

Two registered pharmacists from abroad are working as production manager in manufacturing units

         

Each year, about ten pharmacists are registered with the Pharmacy Board. Presently, 13 trainee pharmacists are undergoing pre-registration training in pharmacies in the public and private sectors. Two pre-registration trainees will be qualified by end of this month, two others will qualify by the end of July 2004 and two more by the end of October 2004.

 

          Since July 2003, four pharmacies have been closed down because the pharmacists have left.

 

The problem of shortage of pharmacists is not new. It occurs from time to time and the shortage has always been mopped up with the availability of new pharmacists on the market.

 

The actual number of pharmacies is not higher than that required for the country. However, there are some regions which are more than adequately served, namely Port Louis, Curepipe, Rose-Hill, Vacoas, Quatre Bornes and Beau Bassin whilst a few regions are not adequately served, especially those in the rural areas. The pharmacy/population ratio is 1:5853, which is in conformity with international standard.

 

Mr Speaker, Sir, however, I have set up a Technical Committee at the level of my Ministry to study all aspects of the pharmacy services in the private sector and to make appropriate recommendations. In the light of the recommendations of the Committee, actions will be taken as appropriate.

 

Dr. Chady: Is it not high time to review the legislation as far as ownership of pharmacies is concerned? In France, there is a legislation where the pharmacist is the owner. Whereas in Mauritius, we see a lot of businesses going on; people owning three or four premises and they are the ones who are complaining.

 

Mr A. Jugnauth: The hon. Member is right. This is an option and it is being studied.

 

 

CHICKEN BREEDING - CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES

 

(No. B/201) Dr. R. Beebeejaun (Second Member for Port Louis South and Port Louis Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources whether he will make a statement on the control extended by his Ministry on the use of antibiotics, vaccines, hormonal products and other substances in chicken breeding and indicate when a last detailed analysis of chemical substances in chicken was made, by whom and with what result.

         

          Mr Bodha: Sir, commercial poultry producers employ their own veterinary surgeons who exert control on the use of antibiotics, vaccines and other drugs on their respective farms.

 

          Hormonal products are not used in Mauritius as feed additives for chicken production as EU norms are applied.

 

          As per EU legislation, only four antibiotics are authorised as growth promoters for incorporation into poultry feeds. The two growth promoters used by the major poultry feed producers in Mauritius are Flavophospholipol and Avilamycine.  These antibiotics are not incorporated in the post finisher feed which is fed to the broiler chicken seven days before slaughter thus ensuring that the carcasses are free from antibiotic residues.

 

          I wish to draw the attention of the House to the fact that the Veterinary Services (Duties and Powers) Act, which was passed at the National Assembly in August 2000, could not be proclaimed due to objections from stakeholders. The revised Veterinary Services (Duties and Powers) Act will make provision for Veterinary officers to carry out farm inspection with a view to exercising control on the use of antibiotics and vaccines.

 

          Analysis of chemical substances in chicken for local consumption does not fall under the purview and responsibility of the Division of Veterinary Services of my Ministry.

 

CHICKEN REARING - VETERINARY CONTROL

 

(No. B/202) Dr. R. Beebeejaun (Second Member for Port Louis South and Port Louis Central) asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology and Natural Resources whether he will make a statement on how his Ministry maintains veterinary control on the rearing of chicken and on their slaughter for commercial purposes.

 

(vide reply to P. Q. No. B/197)

 

 

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS - PRICE INCREASE

 

(No. B/203) Mr M. Dulloo (Third Member for Grand' Baie and Poudre d'Or) asked the Minister of Commerce and Co-operatives whether he will state the total amount of increase in the consumer price of petroleum products, including mogas and gas oil, since September 2000 to date, indicating the percentage of such increases and give the reason/s why consumers have been made to pay a further increase in price recently.

 

Mr Koonjoo: Mr Speaker, Sir, on 30 September 2000, the retail price of mogas was increased from Rs12.80 to Rs19.50 per litre, gas oil from Rs6.65 to Rs11.40 per litre and of kerosene from Rs4.55 to Rs8.75 per litre.

 

The price increases were necessary as STC was buying at high prices (almost double) than the price at which it was selling on the local market and STC has consequently accumulated a deficit of about Rs1.9 billion.

 

The retail prices of mogas and gas oil were revised subsequently on three occasions after 30 September 2000 due to revisions in the VAT rates on 01 July 2001 from 10% to 12% and on 01 July 2002 from 12% to 15%. Recently with the introduction of Automatic Price Mechanism, the retail prices of mogas and gas oil were increased from Rs20.40 to Rs21.35 and from Rs11.90 to Rs13.05 per litre, that is, an increase of 4.7% and 9.75% respectively. The Automatic Pricing Mechanism will enable henceforth to calculate and fix quarterly the price of petroleum products sold on the local market. The price increases are due to increases in the c.i.f. as a result of application of quota by the OPEC countries, the reduction of stock level in U.S., the pick-up of activities in the U.S. and especially the spectacular economic growth in China.

 

Since there is no VAT on kerosene, its retail price has been maintained at its level of 30 September 2000, that is, Rs8.75 per litre.

 

Following the introduction of APM, the retail margin of petrol filling stations has also been increased by 13 cents per litre on mogas, gas oil and kerosene since 02 April 2004.

 

MOTION

SUSPENSION OF S.O. 10 (2)

 

          The Prime Minister: Sir, I beg to move that all the business on today's Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order 10.

 

          The Deputy Prime Minister rose and seconded.

           Question put and agreed to.