§ 9. Mr. WALLHEADasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what subjects, services, duties and responsibilities have been transferred by the Secretary of State for India from the India Office to the Office of the High Commissioner for India since the establishment of the latter office; and what consequential changes of staff have taken place?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe staff of the High Commissioner for India now deals with the following subjects which have been transferred to his charge from that of the Secretary of State in Council:
In all cases transfer of work has been accompanied by transfer of staff formerly employed upon it in the India Office, the total number so transferred since the formation of the High Commissioner's Office being approximately 509.
- Indian stores.
- Indian students.
- Leave-pay, pensions and passages of civil officers.
- Recruitment in United Kingdom of all civil officers except those of the All India Services and a few special appointments.
- All arrangements for civil officers on deputation from India.
- Trade Commissioner.
- Timber agency.
- Purchase and sale of publications.
- Opium and dangerous drugs.
§ 13. Mr. WALLHEADasked the Under-Secretary of State for India the nature of the agency work of the Government of India now carried on at the India Office, the staff employed in connection therewith, and the cost thereof; and whether and when it is contemplated that any further transfer of such agency work will be made to the Office of the High Commissioner for India?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe agency work on behalf of the Government of India still retained in the India Office cannot conveniently or economically be separated from administrative work on the same subjects, and it would not be possible to divide the staff into two divisions dealing entirely with one branch or the other. The division of the cost is at present under discussion with the Treasury. No 1626 further transfer of work to the office of the High Commissioner for India is at present contemplated.