MR. CURZON (Lancashire, Southport)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether he is now able to lay upon the Table the Correspondence with the Indian Government, and the decision of Her Majesty's Government, on the question of simultaneous examinations for the Civil Service in India?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. GEORGE RUSSELL, North Beds.)The Secretary of State is not able at present to lay on the Table the Correspondence, as the matter is still under consideration.
§ MR. PAUL (Edinburgh, S.)Can my hon. Friend say what is the reason for this extraordinary delay?
§ MR. GEORGE RUSSELLThe matter is one of very great importance, and the Secretary of State prefers to address the Government of India before placing the Report on the Table.
§ MR. GEORGE RUSSELLThey are not actually ready for presentation, but they are virtually complete.
MR. CURZONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to inform the House as to the heads of the agreement concluded with the Amir of Afghanistan by Sir M. Durand; and whether Papers will be laid upon the Table?
§ MR. GEORGE RUSSELLThe Secretary of State is not able at present to make public the information received from the Government of India on this subject; but as soon as this can be done consistently with the interests of the Public Service, he will cause Papers to be presented to Parliament.