§ Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will favourably consider representations from the Indian community of Zanzibar for the appointment of a third member on the Legislative Council which has long remained vacant, particularly as the Arab community has got three representatives; whether he has considered the joint representation from Arabs and Indians in Zanzibar for the introduction of the electoral principle for the constitution of the Legislative Council; and whether he proposes to accede to this request?
Mr. M. MacDONALDI have received no representations from the Indian community regarding the constitution of the Legislative Council: such representations would, of course, receive my careful consideration. In reply to the second part of the question, in 1933 my predecessor considered representations from the Indian National and Arab Associations in favour of the introduction of the electoral principle, but he was not prepared to authorise the British Resident to suggest any such change to His Highness 2879W the Sultan. I see no reason to differ from that view.
§ Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the proportion of the diversion of the trade of Zanzibar cloves with India and with the United Kingdom to Madagascar, since the creation of the Clove Growers' Association in its present form?
Mr. M. MacDONALDI am afraid that no figures are available which would either confirm or disprove the suggestion that there has been a diversionn in the clove trade.
§ Mr. PALINGasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the land alienation legislation was permitted to be-undertaken in Zanzibar on the ground that indebtedness was extensive, he will state why the publication of the report of the agricultural indebtedness commission in Zanzibar is withheld by the Zanzibar Government; and when it is likely to be published?
Mr. M. MacDONALDThe report of the commission to which the hon. Member refers is still under consideration by the British Resident, who wishes to review carefully the various important issues which it raises. Publication has been deferred until he has fully considered these, and I am not therefore yet in a position to say on what date the report will be published.