§ MR. LOWEasked the Under Secretary of State for India, What steps the Government have taken to remedy the block of promotion now existing in the Indian Covenanted Civil Service?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTON,in reply, said, that shortly after the Motion of the right hon. Gentleman on this subject last Session a despatch was sent to India calling the attention of the Indian Government to the facts which the right hon. Gentleman then stated. The Government appointed a Select Committee to inquire into the block of promotion existing in the North-West Provinces. A very elaborate Report, containing important suggestions, was made by that Committee, and received by the India Office in April. The question was one of some difficulty, because whatever might now be done would undoubtedly form a precedent for the future, and so affect the whole promotion and retirement of the Indian Civil Service. Certain proposals had been for some time under the consideration of the Secretary of State, and had been embodied in a despatch, which was now awaiting the sanction of the Council, and he hoped that in the course of 10 days at the latest the despatch would be forwarded to India.