§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether it is the fact, as stated in the "Statesman" of 1st July, 1881, that, during the year 1878–9, more than three millions sterling were paid from the Revenues of India to persons not resident in India as annuities and furlough pay; and, whether the Government will take any steps to diminish this annual drain on the Indian taxpayers?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON, in reply, said, the sum mentioned in the Question of the hon. Member was accurate; but he must point out that, in the case of covenanted servants, a large portion of the pensions had been paid by the persons who received them in the shape of a percentage of 4 per cent upon their incomes during the whole period of their service. The whole question of these charges had been referred to a Committee of Council for investigation and report, and it was found that it was not possible materially to reduce "this annual drain" on the Revenues of India. The only way in which this charge could be hereafter reduced would be the further employment in important positions of Natives of India. Several suggestions on that subject had been made from time to time by the Home Government to the Government of India; and no opportunity would be lost of impressing the importance of this upon them.
§ MR. O'DONNELLasked whether any appreciable progress had been made in the direction of employing Natives of India in important positions?