§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the office of Director of Public Instruction in the Berars, which is shortly to become vacant, has been hold by Indians for the last 18 years: whether, during (hat period, the duties of the office have been performed with very marked success; and whether there is among the higher officers of the Educational Department in the Berars an Indian well qualified for the appointment; and, if so, whether an Indian will now be appointed?
*MR. GEORGE RUSSELLThe answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative, and the Secretary of State is aware that during the period referred to the holders of the office have received the approval of the local administration. His Lordship is not sufficiently acquainted with the qualification of the officers in the Educational Department of the Berars to express any opinion on the point raised by my hon. Friend; but he has no doubt that the Local Government, in whoso hands the appointment lies, will make the selection upon a strict consideration of the requirements of the case.