§ SIR G. CHESNEY (Oxford)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether any decision has been arrived at as to the measures to be taken for removing the block which has arisen in the promotion of the civil engineers appointed to the Indian Service from the Royal Indian Engineering College, Cooper's Hill; and if the Correspondence which has passed on the subject between the Secretary of State and the Government of India will be laid upon the Table of the House?
MR. G. RUSSELL(1) No decision has yet been arrived at in respect to the measures to be taken for removing the block of promotion in the Indian Public Works Department. (2) The Correspondence which is passing between the Government of India and the Secretary of State on this subject is still incomplete. When complete it can, if deemed desirable, be laid on the Table of the House.
§ SIR S. KING (Hull, Central)At the same time, I will ask the hon. Gentleman whether a scheme for removing the grievances of the Public Works Department in India had some time since been drawn up by the Indian Government and been forwarded to the Secretary of State; at what date it was received at the India Office; whether it has been considered; and, if so, why a decision is delayed; whether the Secretary of State has any information con- 342 firming a statement in The Pioneer, that the Department is in a condition of discontent almost amounting to mutiny; and when a decision may be expected?
MR. G. RUSSELL(1) A scheme for the removal of a block of promotion in the Indian Public Works Department has been submitted to the Secretary of State by the Government of India. (2) This scheme was received on the 21st November, 1892, and its provisions considered by the Secretary of State, who deemed it advisable, however, to delay passing orders till the Report of the Currency Committee had reached him. (3) The Secretary of State is aware that the existing block in promotion is causing discontent in the Department. (4) The Secretary of State is now about to reply to the Government in respect to their proposals; but be is unable to state at present when a final decision may be expected. The Correspondence will be laid when it is complete.