§ MR. ADAMasked the Under Secretary of State for India, with reference to the appointment of Natives to posts in the Civil Service under the Act 33 Vic, c. 3, s. 6, Whether any effect has been given to the Memorials recently presented to the Secretary of State by certain members of the Bombay Civil Service, who joined the service prior to the passing of this Act; and, if not, whether the Secretary in Council will give such instructions to the Government of India and the Local Governments as may prevent the supersession of such officers in future, and remove the grievances of which they complain?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONSir, the present Government are not responsible for the passing of the Act under which Natives are appointed to posts in the Civil Service of India, nor do they feel bound to discuss whether or not it constitutes a grievance for members of the Civil Service. As it is the law, they do not feel justified in affixing to its provisions by a formal Order limitations not contained in the statute itself. At the same time, in carrying it out every consideration will be shown for the reasonable expectations of the members of the Civil Service. I may as well add that only recently the Secretary of State in Council has sanctioned various arrangements proposed by the Indian Government, having for their object the accelerated promotion of the Bombay Civil Service.