HC Deb 14 December 1925 vol 189 cc983-4W
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that at the last examination for the Indian Civil Service in England 36 candidates, mostly British, were selected, while in the previous examination in India only five candidates were selected; and whether, as this result is inconsistent with the recommendation of the Lee Commission that a proportion of 50 to 50 in the cadre should be attained in the Indian Civil Service without undue delay, and that the present rate of Indian recruitment should be accelerated with this object, will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Earl WINTERTON

The total number of officers appointed to the Indian Civil Service since 1st January, 1925, by open competition in the United Kingdom and India is 43. Of these 36 (21 Europeans and 15 Indians) were appointed on the open competition held in London in August, and seven (Indians) on the Allahabad examination of last January. The numbers of Europeans and Indians recruited by examination are thus approximately equal. In addition, a certain number of posts is filled yearly by the promotion of Indians from the provincial services. The recommendation of the Lee Commission as regards Indianisation was that approximate equality in the numbers of Europeans and Indians in the Indian Civil Service should be reached at the end of 15 years, and recruitment, whether by promotion or examination, is at present being regulated to this end.

Forward to