§ SIR PATRICK O'BRIENasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been directed to a Return made in pursuance of an Address moved for in 1872 by him (Sir Patrick O'Brien) in reference to Indian Appointments, from which it appears that during the five years from 1867 to 1871 (both inclusive) there have been appointed to offices of not less than 150 rupees monthly 2,345 Hindus as against 597 Mahomedans; and, whether it is the intention of the Indian Government to take any action in order to remedy such an inequality in the distribution of Indian Appointments?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONMy attention, Sir, has been called to the Return, by which it appears, as stated by the hon. Baronet, that 2,345 Hindus have been appointed to certain offices, as against 597 Mahomedans. The hon. Baronet calls that distribution unequal; but, if he will consult the last Census Return, he will find that the Hindu population stands to the Mahomedan in almost the same proportion as the figures mentioned in the Return alluded to.