the current Governor and Deputy Governors of the Bank of Mauritius, he will, for the benefit of the House, i…
(No. B/712) Mr A. Duval (Fourth Member for Port-Louis North & Montagne Longue) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the current Governor and Deputy Governors of the Bank of Mauritius, he will, for the benefit of the House, in each case, obtain information as to the remuneration drawn, including other allowances/benefits received, whether in cash or in kind and as chairperson or member of other Boards or Committees of public institutions.
Madam Speaker, the Bank of Mauritius is an autonomous and independent body governed by the provisions of the Bank of Mauritius Act 2004. As a matter of fact, section 3(3) of the Bank of Mauritius Act provides that the Bank of Mauritius shall, in the furtherance of its objects, “perform its functions independently”. Section 12(1) of the Act further provides that –
22 “(1) The general policy of the affairs and business of the Bank, other than the formulation and determination of monetary policy, shall, (…) be entrusted to a Board of Directors.” In addition, Madam Speaker, section 12(3) of the Act provides that the Board shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in the exercise of its functions. But let me inform the House that the remuneration of the Governor and the Deputy Governors are actually disclosed in the financial statements of the Bank of Mauritius, which are publicly available on the website of the Bank.
May I?
Yes.
The question I also asked, first of all, I take note that the hon. Prime Minister will not provide these details to the House. However, the Financial Services Commission, for example, where some of them are appointed, at least one of them, he could have disclosed that information. Let me nonetheless ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he is prepared to consult the Bank of Mauritius for a review in the name of keeping foreign currency in Mauritius, the astronomical figures of per diem that is paid to the Governor, for example, when he travels, which amounts to USD1400 apparently and USD200 for entertainment allowance, Rs73,000 but paid in dollar. Is that something that he is prepared to review?
That is not part of the question, Madam Speaker, and I did say that if you want to get all the information, it is on the financial statement of the Bank of Mauritius on its website.
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