§ SIR JOHN LUBBOCK (London University)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If he would explain why the appointment of a female medical officer to the Cama Women's Hospital at Bombay was limited to five years, when Government had promised Mr. Cama to carry on the hospital under female superintendence without any limitation as to time; whether there is any reason why the conditions of continuous service and pension should not be assured to female medical officers as to male, in order to secure the service of competent persons for such responsible charges; and, if the doubt thus thrown upon the continuance of the employment of medical women by Government in India has caused the suspension of similar benefactions for the erection of hospitals for women in Western India?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)The reasons given by the Government of India for limiting to five years the appointment of a female medical officer to the Cama Hospital at Bombay were:—The possibility of hereafter providing for the maintenance of the Cama Hospital on the grant in-aid system; I the fact that the medical education of women in India is yet only in its infancy. The Secretary of State knows no reason why there should be any difference in the conditions of service of male and female medical officers, and he will commend an equality of treatment to the consideration of the Government of India. The Secretary of State has not heard of the suspension of any benefac- 1165 tions for the erection of hospitals for women in India from the cause stated.