§ MR. GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether he has received a Copy of the reply of the Government of India to the communication of the Government of Madras of April 1880, forwarding the Memorials of certain members of the Madras Civil Service complaining of their present position and future prospects; and, if so, whether he will state the nature of the reply; but if no copy has been received, whether, with regard to the delay which has already taken place, and to prevent further delay, he will communicate with the Government of India by telegraph, so that the desired information may be furnished at an early date?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, further Correspondence on the subject has been received. It appears that the Government of India are awaiting further information from the Madras Government asked for so long since as January, 1879, and on its receipt promised to lose no time in considering whether any, and, if so, what, measures should be adopted to meet the complaints preferred by certain members of the Madras Civil Service. I am afraid that decision will not be made known before the rising of the House.