§ 1. Mr. PALINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the request made by the representative of the commercial interests in Aden and those in India connected in trade with Aden in connection with the desirability of maintaining the status quo of the existing residential, commercial, and industrial rights of the Indians in Aden, in the event of the administrative transfer of Aden from the Government of India to the Colonial Office under the new constitution, has been considered.
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)His Majesty's Government have received certain representations on this subject. They have accepted in full the recommendations made by the Joint Select Committee in paragraph 162 of their Report for the safeguarding of the position of Indians at Aden in the event of transfer. Of those recommendations, that relating to the conferment of appellate jurisdiction from Courts in Aden upon a Court in India has been embodied in the Bill now before Parliament. The remainder relate to matters which are not appropriate for insertion in a Bill and which will fall to be disposed of as part of the detailed arrangements connected with any transfer.
§ Mr. PALINGAm I to understand that, as far as the latter part of the 3 question is concerned, no decision has been arrived at and that the matter is still under consideration?
§ Mr. BUTLERCertain assurances were given by the Joint Select Committee, and it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to implement them when the time comes to transfer Aden.