MR. DEASYsaid, he would beg to ask the right hon. the President of the Board of Control whether any reduction had taken place or was contemplated in the number of appointments in the Civil Service in India open to public competition.
MR. VERNON SMITHsaid, there had 1246 been no reduction in the number of appointments, nor was any contemplated; and, indeed, there could not be, as the number was fixed by Act of Parliament which were to be open to competition. With regard to the cause of there having been a decrease in the number of vacancies, it resulted from accidental circumstances, such as there having been fewer deaths occurring in the service.