§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGE (Kensington, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the appointment of the Public Service Commission was stated by the Government of India to be preparatory to a further inquiry into Indian affairs; what has been the total cost of that Commission, including the salaries of its official members; how many officers of the Covenanted Civil Service, how many officers of the special or technical departments of the Civil Service, and how many European officers of other uncovenanted departments had seats on that Commission; and, whether Her Majesty's Government intend to initiate legislation 1078 on the recommendations of that Commission, without further independent inquiry?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)(who replied) said: (1) My answer to the first paragraph of the Question is "Yes;" (2) the cost cannot be ascertained from information at present in the India Office; (3) the Commission was composed of six Covenanted Civil servants—two High Court Judges (one a native), and five natives; and two unofficial persons; (4) the Secretary of State will take no action on the Report of the Commission till he has received the views of the Government of India, by whom it is now being considered.