Reply: With regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by Statistics Mauritius that under the SADC Protocol on Statistics, Member States are required to develop and disseminate a National Multidimensional Poverty Index. This index assesses poverty through a broader lens than just income deprivation. It takes into account multiple aspects that influence human development, such as education, health, living standards, and access to essential services like electricity, clean water, and adequate housing. Mauritius does not have a National Multidimensional Poverty Index. The only poverty measures being compiled and used are the Relative Poverty Line and the World Bank International Poverty Line. All of these measures are based on income only. However, Statistics Mauritius does collect information on non-income sources of poverty that are reflected in the Relative Development Index. But the National Multidimensional Poverty Index proposed by SADC covers a much wider spectrum of dimensions. In line with Government’s policy to lift up the standard of living of the population, we are pursuing all efforts to develop such a country-specific index for Mauritius.

131 In this regard, Statistics Mauritius has sought technical assistance from SADC through consultancy services from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative. Our aim is to build local capacity in the development of such an index. As regards actions being taken on this project, I wish to inform the House that officers from SADC and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative visited Mauritius during the week of 13 to 17 October this year. These officers, together with Statistics Mauritius, have carried out the following activities – (a) First, a training session on the subject was held with technical officers of Statistics Mauritius and other relevant institutions; (b) Second, a working session was conducted with senior officials from key line ministries; (c) Third, the officers participated in the Symposium on Poverty organised by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity to gather valuable feedbacks from a broader audience, and (d) Fourth, a consultative session was organised with some Members of the National Assembly to sensitise them on the benefits of the Multidimensional Poverty Index Framework. The next step is to train the technical staff of Statistics Mauritius on the methodology, computation, and analysis of the index. This phase of the technical assistance will start as from January 2026. With regard to part (b) of the question, we will definitely integrate the index into the national framework for policy-making, budget planning and the allocation of resources. This is in line with our commitment and determination to deal with the problem of poverty in all its forms. I am convinced that the index will be a powerful tool to achieve this goal and to realise our vision of a New Social Order. POLICE HELICOPTER SQUADRON – HELICOPTER FLEET & PERSONNEL