HC Deb 08 June 1893 vol 13 cc535-6
MR. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can now state what steps the Government intend to take to carry into effect the Resolution of the House as to the holding of simultaneous Civil Service Examinations in India and England?

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he can state the decision which the Government have arrived at on the question of the Resolution passed by the House of Commons on the 2nd June, in respect of the examination of Natives for the Civil Service of India?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE,) Edinburgh, Midlothian

This question is a very important one, and has received the careful consideration of the Government. They have determined that the Resolution of the House should be referred to the Government of India without delay, and that there should be a prompt and careful examination of the subject by that Government, who are instructed to say in what mode in their opinion, and under what conditions and limitations, the Resolution could be carried into effect.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)

With reference to the message to the Government of India which the right hon. Gentleman has just sketched, I wish to ask him whether the Government, in the course of this Despatch, mean to imply that, in some shape or other, the Government of India are obliged to carry out this Resolution? I rather hope that in sending the Resolution of the House the Government will not lay down any principle.

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

The right hon. Gentleman must rely on the words which I have just read to him. As regards the interpretation of those words, certainly, in my opinion, there is nothing whatever to prevent the Government of India from making any observations of whatever kind they may think fit on the Resolution.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN (Birmingham, W.)

As my right hon. Friend has quoted the Despatch, will he have any objection to laying it on the Table?

MR. W. E. GLADSTONE

I have not quoted any Despatch, and no Despatch has yet been drawn. I have merely stated the terms in which the Government intend to draw the Despatch.