§ MR. MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is a fact that members of the Uncovenanted Civil Service of India who were in receipt of a salary of Rs.6,000 a-year on February 10, 1876, and those appointed by the Secretary of State for India, obtain two years' furlough on half-pay after eight years' service, whereas members of the Uncovenanted Civil Service who have been appointed by the Governor General of India can only obtain one year's furlough after 10 years' service; and, on what principle is this distinction drawn between members of the Uncovenanted Service appointed by the Secretary of State and those appointed by the Indian Government?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)(1.) Yes; subject to the qualification that those to whom the first part of the Question relates held certain specified offices at the date mentioned; and that those mentioned in the last part of the Question have been appointed by the 427 Governor General in Council without the sanction of the Secretary of State, given either before or after the appointment. (2.) On the principle that the Uncovenanted Service should be recruited, as far as possible, from Natives of India; and that appointments carrying the special privilege mentioned should be filled by officers who are selected in England with special qualifications, or who have gained their appointments by competitive examination involving expensive training.