§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Under Secretary of State for India whether, in the List of the Indian Covenanted Civil Service, published in January 1886, an alteration was made in the arrangement of the names of members of that service, and the names of all statutory civilians for the first time shown in a separate list; whether the following heading was placed over this separate list, "Statutory Civilians, who, though not members of the Covenanted Civil Service, hold appointments reserved ordinarily for that service;" whether he will state why these changes have been made, and what were the circumstances under which it was then determined that the statutory civilians were "not members of the Covenanted Civil Service," although for five years they had been so classified and so regarded; whether the statutory civilians have been informed of the change; and, if yes, in what manner; whether the opinion 508 of the Law Officers of the Crown was obtained before the alteration was made and the "heading" adopted; and whether he will lay upon the Table of this House the Papers explaining and justifying the above alteration?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) ChathamThe alteration referred to was made in the Bengal Civil List—not in the other provinces of India. The new description appears to be more accurate, and in accordance with the Act of Parliament. It was a recurrence to the more correct practice which at first obtained. The Statutory Civilians were not informed of the change, nor was the opinion of the Law Officers obtained. The Secretary of State cannot ay any Papers on the Table which will afford any further explanation or justification.