§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary for India when Her Majesty's Home Government or the Government of India propose to announce the action they intend to take upon the recommendations contained in the recently issued Report of the Indian Public Service Commission; and whether the Government contemplate making any alteration in the age at which candidates are admissible to compete for appointments in the Indian Civil Service?
SIR J. GORSTThe Secretary of State is unable to name any precise date upon which the consideration of this important Report, which is now proceeding, will be concluded and a decision arrived at. No time has been or will be lost in determining how far effect can be given to the recommendations of the Commission. The alteration of age, as recommended by the Commission, is one of the matters under consideration.
§ MR. BRYCEIs it the expectation of the Government that some declaration will be made on the subject during the present Session of Parliament?
SIR JOHN GORSTIn a matter of this kind, the Secretary of State cannot bind himself to a particular time. The matter is of immense importance, and the greatest possible attention will be paid to it, both at home and in India, and a decision will be arrived at as speedily as possible.