§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGEasked the Under Secretary of State for India, By what authority and at what date the rule was introduced into India that Native officials, when appointed to posts usually held by Europeans, should draw only two-thirds of the usual pay; whether this rule has not operated, in the case of certain Native members of the Bengal Subordinate Educational Service, promoted for exceptional ability and merit to the Superior Educational Service, in such a way as to inflict a heavy pecuniary fine on them; and, whether this rule will be submitted to the examination of the intended Committee of inquiry into Indian administration?
THE UNDER SECRETARY (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH)The rule was first adopted by the Secretary of State in Council in March, 1880, and gazetted in India in June. It was extended to the graded Educational Service in May, 1882. No instance has occurred, so far as we know, in Bengal, but one has occurred in Madras, in which salary on promotion was less than that previously received. The Government of India was requested, some time ago, to consider how such occurrences might be prevented. But there are many benefits besides increased salary attendant on securing a place in the graded list; and no officer need accept promotion unless he considers it to be to his advantage.