HC Deb 23 June 1890 vol 345 cc1728-9

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report upon the alleged grievances of the Uncovenanted Civil Servants of India arising from the change in the relative value of gold and silver money and their leave and pension rules. The Committee was accordingly nominated of:—Mr, King, Mr. Howorth, Sir Stafford Northcote, Mr. Bristowe, Viscount Baring, Sir William Plowden, Mr. Barbour, Mr. Alfred Pease, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. MacNeill, and Sir John Gorst. Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers, and records. Ordered, That Five be the quorum.—(Sir John Gorst.)

DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman in charge of the Motion whether there is any hope of getting any Report from the Committee this Session with regard to the grievances of the Uncovenanted Indian Civil Servants?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) Chatham

I am afraid that, owing to the long delay that has taken place in the appointment of the Committee, it may be difficult for them to report during the present Session.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

May I suggest to the Government that they should ask for the appointment of a Royal Commission rather than of a Select Committee, because in that case the Commission will be enabled to carry on its inquiries during the Recess, which a Select Committee of this House cannot do. I should add that I propose to put down an Amendment to the Licensing Bill, that the £350,000 which the Government propose to give for the extinction of licences should be allocated so as to recoup these Indian Civil Servants for their losses instead of being used for the compensation of publicans.

MR. A. O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)

I observe from the language of the Motion that the Committee is to inquire into the alleged grievances of the Uncovenanted Civil Servants of India. All I desire to do now is to express a hope that the inquiry will extend to the grievances of the natives as well as of the Europeans.

Question put, and agreed to.