§ Mr. MacCAWasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the present composition of the Aden Port Trust and Aden Settlement Committee respectively; and what steps are taken to ensure that the commercial interests of that port are adequately represented on these Boards?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (The Master of Elibank)The Aden Port Trust at present consists of an official as chairman with two ex-official members and six nominated members of whom three are also members of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce. The executive committee of the Settlement consists of a chairman, who must under the rules be an official, and from four to six appointed members, of whom one-half must be non-officials. I have no reason to believe that commercial interests are neglected in either case in the appointment of the non-official members. The circumstances of Aden are exceptional, and the Government must reserve the control of the affairs of the port.