§ MR. LAWSON (St. Pancras, W.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether he is aware that under Government Resolution, No. 190, dated Bombay, January 12th, 1881, it was ruled that no more medical subordinates would be promoted to honorary commissions unless they had obtained medical diplomas; that three warrant medical officers came to England under this rule, and, after much study and expense, obtained English medical diplomas; and that, on their return to India, the rule was abrogated by Indian Army Circular, Clause 83, paragraph 4, dated July 1884, by the decision that no further promotions would be made to the rank of honorary surgeon; and, whether, considering the circumstances under which they acted, he will take steps to secure their promotion to the honorary commissioned rank under the rule of January 12th 1881?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)Prior to July, 1884, a diploma was, as stated in the Question, one, but only one, of the several qualifications requisite for selection for the rank of honorary surgeon. At that date, on a re-organization of the subordinate medical establishment, the selection of warrant officers for the post of honorary surgeon was put an end to on public grounds; but, instead, certain other privileges were conferred on the Department to which the warrant officers belonged. There is, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, no reason for making an exception in the case of the three officers referred to.