§ MR. LYON PLAYFAIRasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is true, as stated in Indian papers, that the Government of India contemplates reducing the present fixed number of the higher grades (Deputy Surgeon General) of the Indian Medical Service, and of reserving the higher grade (Surgeon General) in each Presidency for members of the British Medical Service only; and, if so, whether it is the intention to offer increased pensions to the senior officers as a compensation for the serious change which would thus be made in their prospects?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIt has been decided to abolish the double medical administrative staff hitherto maintained in India, and from March 31, 1880, the British Army Medical Department and the India Medical Department will form one Department for the medical administration of the Army in the three Presidencies, the surgeon-general at headquarters in each Presidency being an officer of the British Army Medical Department. By this change six deputy surgeons-general of the Indian Service will be in excess of the requirements of the new Service, and the Government of India have offered to the surgeons-general and the deputy surgeons-general of the three Armies their retirement on the extra pension of their grade, with an honorary step of rank, notwithstanding that they may not have completed the qualifying service for these pensions. The number of retirements in each Army is restricted to two.