Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. I thank the hon. Member for his question. With regard to the families living on State lands along the southeastern coastal area, I presume that the hon. Member is referring to squatters occupying State lands in the region of the Grand Port District. I am informed that my Ministry has, to date, granted approximately 970 building site leases within the Grand Port District, spanning from Pointe aux Feuilles to Mahebourg. As per the current policy, pre-July 2015 squatters are considered for regularisation subject to their eligibility, availability and suitability of the concerned sites. On the other hand, post-July 2015 squatters are examined on a case-to-case basis. A cutoff line, obviously, has to be drawn somewhere. Otherwise, we would be opening the floodgates. I am informed that following a survey conducted by officers of my Ministry, there are some 20 squatters occupying State land in the regions of Anse Jonchée, Old Grand Port, Rivière La Chaux, Camp Carol and Rose Belle. Out of these 20 squatters, three are pre-July 2015, located in the regions of Rivière La Chaux, and one at Grand Sable. In addition, there are 16 post-July 2015 squatters, out of which 14 are located at Rivière La Chaux and one in the region of Old Grand Port and Anse Jonchée, respectively. Our Government indeed recognises the need to provide all families living in difficult situations with a secure and stable living condition. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, not specific to this case or those cases, the squatters may be considered for regularisation on a case-to- case basis through the following measures – (i) granting of building site lease in situ subject to planning clearance so that these families may live a decent life; (ii) relocating the squatters to other suitable sites where essential amenities are available, and

56 (iii) referring those cases to the NHDC to explore the possibility of providing them with a housing unit, depending on their specific circumstances. But let me add, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that we should be very careful to understand that there are many people on the waiting list for social housing in Mauritius, more than 50,000, and as such, we are not a government that will encourage squatters while recognising the need for houses. That is why I always like to put forward the need for all those who are living in a squatting condition to register with the National Housing Development Company, but remembering that we have to give priority to those who have registered first; date-wise – very important indeed. Thank you.

Second Member for Rodrigues! RODRIGUAN PUBLIC OFFICERS – MAURITIUS TO RODRIGUES ESTABLISHMENT –TRANSFER REQUEST