§ MR. GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been directed to the deadlock in promotion in the Madras Covenanted Civil Service; whether that deadlock is greater there than in the other Presidencies to which favourable terms of retirement and pay have been extended; and, whether, in the event of such terms not having been already extended to the Madras Service, there is any reason why they should be longer withheld?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONEarly in 1879, the Government of India transmitted to the Secretary of State three Memorials from Madras Civil servants asking to be allowed to retire on special pensions similar to those allowed to officers in Bengal and Bombay in order to accelerate promotion. The Government of India did not recommend compliance with the requests contained in those Memorials; and my Predecessor concurred in the view taken by that Government. I find that in April, 1880, further Memorials from members of the Madras Civil Service were sent to the Government of India; but that Government has not deemed it necessary to forward them for the consideration of the Secretary of State in Council. I am, therefore, unable to answer the Questions put by the right hon. and learned Gentleman. I will make a communication to the Government of India with reference to these Questions. Any action must be dependent upon the answer which I receive.