§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plan has now been prepared for the economic and social development of the Island of Socotra; and what are the general lines of same; and the amount he proposes to allocate from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund for the purpose.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsOwing to difficulty of communications and shortage of staff it has not so far been possible to formulate or execute development plans for the Island. It is considered that in present circumstances better use can be made of the existing allocation under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act in other parts of the Aden Protectorate. The fisheries of the Island will, however, share with the Protectorate generally in the Colonial Development and Welfare Research Scheme now in operation, for which £16,500 has been allocated, and will benefit from the newly created Fisheries Department.