§ 10. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement upon the taking over of the military and political control of Aden by the Imperial authorities from the Indian Government; what has been the saving in cost to the Indian Government; and what will be the extra cost to the Imperial Government?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe control of political affairs and of military operations in the Aden sphere was transferred from the Government of India to His Majesty's Government, as a, provisional measure, in 1917. It has now been agreed that for the future His Majesty's Government shall be entirely responsible for the political and military administration, the Government of India remaining responsible only for the internal administration of the settlement. From the 1st April, 1927, the Government of India will contribute a fixed sum of £250,000 a year for three years towards the military and political charges, and thenceforward one-third of these charges, subject to a maximum of £150,000 a year. The saving in cost to the Indian Government cannot be precisely stated at present. It will depend on the amount of the actual military and political expenditure from 1st April, 1927, onwards.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan my Noble Friend say what is the extra cost to the Imperial Government?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have given the figures, but I expect my hon. and gallant Friend did not fully apprehend the effect of my answer. I said the Government of India will contribute a fixed sum of £250,000 a year for three years, and thenceforward one-third of these charges, subject to a maximum of £150,000 a year.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYWill it mean an extra expenditure from our side?
§ Earl WINTERTONIt will mean that in future the Imperial Government will be responsible for what I have just stated.
§ Mr. HARRISWhat are the advantages of dual control here?
§ Earl W1NTERTONIt depends entirely on the circumstances. That is a general question, which I would prefer to answer in debate, but in this particular instance it is necessitated by the local circumstances.