§ MR. ROUNDasked the Secretary of State for India, If admissions to the Forest Department under the Government of India are by competition, or if there are any recent cases on record in which officers have been appointed either by the English or Indian authorities without undergoing any previous examination?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONCandidates in this country for nomination to junior appointments in the Forest Department in India are required to pass an examination, and from among those who attain the required standard a selection is made of such as are deemed best adapted to the service. No recent appointments have been made 253 by the authorities in this country without previous examination. Under the rules for the selection of candidates in India no previous examination is required if applicants can produce satisfactory certificates of their acquirements. Candidates selected in this country undergo a special training at the Forest School at Nancy before receiving their appointments; and those selected in India are required to pass two years' training in the forests attached to the Government Forest School, or to serve as probationers for the same length of time before their appointments are confirmed.