No. 24 of 2019 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019
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1 No. 24 of 2019 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019 2 CONTENTS PAPERS LAID QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTION STATEMENT BY MINISTER BILLS (Public) MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE MATTER OF PRIVILEGE ADJOURNMENT QUESTIONS (Written) 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public SC Utilities Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for KCMG, QC Rodrigues Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, SC Minister of Tourism Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Minister of Health and Quality of Life Hon. Prithvirajsing Roopun Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Marie Joseph Noël Etienne Ghislain Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Sinatambou Environment and Sustainable Development Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth and Sports 4 Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives Hon. Marie Roland Alain Wong Yen Minister of Social Integration and Economic Cheong, MSK Empowerment Hon. Premdut Koonjoo Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training Hon. Purmanund Jhugroo Minister of Housing and Lands Hon. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms Hon. Dharmendar Sesungkur Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Madam Speaker Hanoomanjee, Hon. Mrs Santi Bai, GCSK Deputy Speaker Lesjongard, Georges Pierre Deputy Chairperson of Committees Jahangeer, Hon. Ahmad Bashir Clerk of the National Assembly Lotun, Mrs Bibi Safeena Adviser Dowlutta, Mr Ram Ranjit Deputy Clerk Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi Clerk Assistant Gopall, Mr Navin Clerk Assistant Seetul, Ms Darshinee Hansard Editor Jankee, Mrs Chitra Parliamentary Librarian and Information Jeewoonarain, Ms Prittydevi Officer Serjeant-at-Arms Pannoo, Mr Vinod 6 7 MAURITIUS Sixth National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 24 of 2019 Sitting of 16 July 2019 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Madam Speaker in the Chair) 8 PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Prime Minister’s Office Certificate of Urgency in respect of the following Bills (In Original): (i) The Workers’ Rights Bill (No. XVIII of 2019); (ii) The Employment Relations (Amendment) Bill (No. XIX of 2019). B. Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping The Annual Report of the Fishermen Welfare Fund for the year ended 30 June 2018. 9 ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ST FRANCOIS, RODRIGUES – TREASURE TROVE The Leader of the Opposition (Mr X. L. Duval) (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Minister of Arts and Culture whether, in regard to a treasure trove allegedly discovered at St Francois, in Rodrigues, he will state – (a) when it was discovered and by whom; (b) the estimated value thereof; (c) if the National Heritage Fund has granted permission for excavation, pursuant to section 6(c) of the National Heritage Fund Act; (d) if excavation works have begun and, if so, indicate the outcome thereof, and (e) if consideration will be given for the vesting of any treasure found in the Rodrigues Regional Assembly after application of the relevant legislation. Mr Roopun: Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed that an affidavit was sworn by Mr Roger Doger de Spéville on 15 May 2019, informing that he had, along with one Mr Georges Désiré Némorin, found the following items in Rodrigues on or about 22 March 2019 – (i) a rusted chest, damaged on the edge as if it had received a knock and leaning towards the West and not horizontal. According to Mr Roger Doger de Speville, the said chest might date as far back as about 300 years; (ii) a piece of metal strip reinforcement from the chest located to the right of the chest on the ground; (iii) to the right of the inclined, leaning chest, the remains of broken rope seemingly from a rope and pulley hoist system, symmetrical objects used by men probably to lower this chest into the hole; (iv) a flat rock placed vertically in front of the chest, towards the East; (v) a small, unidentifiable bright red dot under the trunk, and (vi) a chimerical object seemingly with the skull of goat and possibly the body of a fish. 10 As regards parts (b) and (d), Madam Speaker, no excavation has begun and, therefore, at this stage, the estimated value cannot be determined. With regard to part (c), I am informed that, as at date, no request has been received by the National Heritage Fund for a permission to excavate. Concerning part (e), I wish to point out that the Articles 713 and 716 of the ‘Code Civil Mauricien’ provide as follows – (a) Article 713 – « Les biens qui n’ont pas de maître appartiennent à la nation.» (b) Article 716 – « La propriété d’un trésor appartient à celui qui le trouve dans son propre fonds : si le trésor est trouvé dans le fonds d’autrui, il appartient pour moitié à celui qui l’a découvert, et pour l’autre moitié au propriétaire du fonds. Le trésor est toute chose cachée ou enfouie sur laquelle personne ne peut justifier sa propriété, et qui est découverte par le pur effet du hasard.» Accordingly, in view of the complexity of the case, legal implications will be looked into by all parties concerned, namely the Ministry of Defence and Rodrigues, the Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Attorney General’s Office, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly and the National Heritage Fund, amongst others. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, given that some two months ago, I understand that the same Mr de Speville and Mr Némorin also, probably, met with the Rt. hon. Minister Mentor around mid-May, may I ask the hon. Minister whether that is the case and how come, since mid-May this is known to the Government of Mauritius, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly had to wait for articles in the press, weeks later to be made aware of same? Mr Roopun: Madam Speaker, I wish to state that once the Rt. hon. Minister Mentor was apprised of the situation, consultations were carried out and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly was informed in good time. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, obviously, the hon. Minister has not even taken note of what is happening, what was printed in the press this morning - and I have copies of it - about a press conference yesterday by Commissioner Rose de Lima Edouard saying the 11 Rodrigues Regional Assembly learned of this matter in the press. How can the Government be so disrespectful towards the Rodrigues Regional Assembly? Mr Roopun: Madam Speaker, the hon. Leader of the Opposition is quite an experienced politician and he knows that we cannot believe whatever is stated in the press, and I do not think that we can base ourselves on press articles to state facts as if they are the truth. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, this is a press conference by the Commissioner for Arts and Culture in Rodrigues, and it was covered by two newspapers this morning and also on the web, saying that she learnt of the issue in the press. This is not hearsay, written here and there, it is a press conference yesterday. Mr Roopun: Madam Speaker, I may confirm that, in good time, the Rt. hon. Minister Mentor had informed the Chief Commissioner, once the issue was made known to him. Mr X. L. Duval: This issue is of such great importance, especially to the people of Rodrigues. May I ask the hon. Minister whether there was any correspondence? This was said verbally or some correspondence was sent by the Minister of Rodrigues, his own Ministry, perhaps, to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly? Was it done officially in a correspondence? Mr Roopun: Yes, Madam Speaker. If I am not mistaken, a first correspondence was sent on 11 June to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. Mr X. L. Duval: It is exactly my point, Madam Speaker. The press article started to appear on 09 June, that is, more than three weeks after the Rt. hon. Minister Mentor was made aware of the discovery of the treasure. Why this delay? Mr Roopun: Madam Speaker, the House will appreciate that, to my recollection, this is the very first time that we are having certain issues raised about somebody allegedly discovering a treasure. I understand that once a correspondence was received at the level of the Ministry of Rodrigues, the State Law Office was consulted to have all the legal implications and, thereafter, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly was informed and advised about appropriate measures that needed to be taken. Mr X. L. Duval: Weeks later after Press articles; that is clear now. May I ask the hon. Minister, in the weeks that went by, from mid-May, when the Rt.