§ MR. BIRRELL (Fife, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India what are the duties and salary of the Political Aide-de-Camp to the Secretary of State for India; out of what funds such salary is paid; and, if the same is paid out of the Revenues raised in India, whether, in the interests of Indian taxpayers, he will consider the advisability of abolishing the office; and whether the holder of such office is under any, and what, supervision so far as regards the effective discharge of the duties (if any) appertaining to such office?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) ChathamThe duties of the Political Aide-de-Camp to the Secretary of State are: To attend on Native Princes visiting this country; to represent the Secretary of State when natives are presented at Court; to exercise a general supervision over the welfare of natives, students, and others sent to this country by the Government of India, or recommended to the good offices of the Secretary of State; to make recommendations to the Secretary of State as to the disposal of the cases of destitute natives who apply for relief to the India Office. His salary is £500 with £300 for contingencies. He is paid from the Revenues of India. The Secretary of State does not contemplate the abolition of the office. The Political Aide-de-Camp is like other members of the establishment of the India Office, under the control of the Secretary of State.