Madam Speaker, Section 7 of the Immigration Act provides for the eligibility criteria for temporary residence permit for a non-citizen who has married a citizen of Mauritius. Section 7(1) states that, I quote, – “a non-citizen shall be eligible for a temporary residence permit where he is – (a) civilly married to a citizen and he was not a prohibited immigrant at the time of becoming such a spouse.” Section 7(4) stipulates that – “Where the marriage between a non-citizen and a citizen is celebrated outside Mauritius, no application for a temporary residence permit shall be entertained unless the non- citizen submits – (a) his marriage certificate certifying that he is civilly married to his citizen spouse, and (b) an affidavit or any other document, duly sworn or affirmed by him before a court of law in his country of residence, attesting that, on the date of his marriage to the citizen, he was not married to any other person.” Madam Speaker, I am informed that some non-citizens are not able to obtain an affidavit or any other document duly sworn or affirmed by them before a court of law in their countries of residence, as such mechanism, in fact, is not available in their countries of residence. My Office is working together with the Attorney-General’s Office to amend Section 7 of the Immigration Act with a view to allowing a non-citizen to submit another official document attesting that on the date of his marriage to the citizen, he was not married to any other person. I must say there was a demand and we are also looking at this. The Attorney-General’s Office will give consideration to the possibility of including Rodrigues as well in that amendment that we are bringing. The Bill will be introduced in the National Assembly shortly.

Yes, Hon. Caserne, are you okay? Right! The hon. Third Member for Pamplemousses and Triolet! CASINOS OF MAURITIUS – FINANCIAL SITUATION