§ MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if a protest has been received from the unofficial members of the Legislative Council of Port-of-Spain against the appointment of a Government director in connection with the Trinidad Dock and Engineering Company, Limited, at a salary of £250 per annum, such salary being paid by the Government; whether such director was recently pensioned on the ground of ill-health and the Finance Committee unanimously passed a resolution against such an appointment, but the Secretary of State made the appointment without their consent, intimating that it must be endorsed, if necessary, by the use of the official majority; and, if so, will lie state what action, if any, the Government intend to take with a view to more respect being paid to the wishes of the direct representatives of the people.
§ COLONEL SEELYThe protest referred to has just been received. Pend- 844 ing the Secretary of State's consideration of the protest, and the return of a reply to the unofficial members of Council, it would be premature to make a statement on the subject in this House.
§ MR. SUMMERBELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the great dissatisfaction and disappointment caused by this overruling of the unanimous decision of the Finance Committee by the official Vote?
§ COLONEL SEELYIt would be inadvisable for me to make any partial statement now. I hope to be able to make a full one in a few days.
§ MR. MITCHELL-THOMSON (Lanarkshire, N.W.)Is it not the fact that the Government made it a condition of their co-operation in the establishment of this dock that they should have this official voting power?
§ COLONEL SEELYI can add nothing to my Answer.