MR. A. BASSasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is intended to make any alterations in respect to the Indian Civil Service Furlough and Sick-leave Rules of 1868; and, if so, whether he will be good enough to state what those alterations are; how they will affect civilians now in the service; and, if he will lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of the Despatch embodying the changes proposed?
MR. GRANT DUFFSir, it is quite true that the Secretary of State in Council asked the Governor General some time ago, by a despatch, for his opinion as to certain changes which it seemed desirable to the Secretary of State in Council, as then advised, should be made in the Furlough Rules of 1868; but no reply has been received from the Governor General, and it is perfectly possible that the reply, when received, may modify the views expressed in that despatch. Under these circumstances, my hon. Friend will see that it would be quite impossible for me to give him the despatch at present. When the Correspondence is complete, of course it can be given if wished for.