§ 1. Colonel APPLINasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the official status of the Anglo-Indian domiciled community in India; and whether they are recognised officially as European-British subjects or statutory natives of India?
§ The UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)For purposes of employment under Government and inclusion in schemes of Indianisation, members of the Anglo-Indian and domiciled European community are statutory natives of India. For purpose of education and internal security, their status, in so far as it admits of definition, approximates to that of European British subjects.
§ Colonel APPLINMay I ask the Noble Lord whether this dual description of this community is not likely to be a danger to their status in India, and whether he can suggest anything which would safeguard the people for whom we are responsible in their position in India as it will be in the future?
§ Earl WINTERTONNo, I am afraid I cannot. The definition of this community has always been a matter of some difficulty, owing to their position; but this classification has lasted now for some time, and I certainly cannot admit that under it Anglo-Indians or the domiciled community suffer any disabilities.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWill the Noble Lord look into the question of the Indian Medical Service, to which this dual classification does make a difference?
§ Earl WINTERTONThat is rather a different point. The question I have been asked is as to the classification of the domiciled community as such.