§ MR. CARSONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the slow rate of promotion in the Revenue Branch of the Bombay Civil Service; whether there are members of the said branch, of over 20 years' service, who have not yet attained the position of permanent heads of districts, while the average time in the other Presidencies is about 14 years; what is the cause of the difference; and whether, under the circumstances, it would be possible to employ those whose promotion has been blocked, in political or other appointments, directly under the Government of India?
MR. G. RUSSELLYes; the attention of the Secretary of State has frequently been drawn to the slow rate of promotion in the Revenue Branch of the Bombay Civil Service. There are five members of that branch, of over 20 years' service, who have not yet attained the position of permanent heads of districts; but of these one is serving under the 234 Government of India as Census Commissioner, and two others are officiating as heads of districts. It is doubtful whether the average service, before attaining the position of head of a district in other Provinces, is so low as 14 years. The principal cause of the slowness of promotion has been the over-recruitment in the years 1867-70, the effects of which are gradually passing away. The choice of officers from the various local services for employment under the Government of India is a matter which must be left to the discretion of that Government.