§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether there is at present employed at Simla a statistical officer who has held his appointment for 15 years, or close on that period; and, if so, whether, in the interest of the officers of the Indian Medical Service, and also with the view of the latest and most enlarged experience being obtained and utilised, he will consider the advisability of placing some limit on the duration of the appointment of statistical officer as is in force with other staff appointments at Army headquarters, the tenure of which is limited to five years, except under special circumstances?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingThe medical statistical officer to the Government of India has held this appointment for nearly 12 years. There is no limit to the tenure of the appointment, and in the absence of any proposals from the Government of India I see no reason to disturb the present arrangement.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether in future the same rule which exists to the effect that when officers are 10 years in quasi civil appointments—e.g., cantonment magistrates, pay, ordnance, etc.—they will be directed to revert to military duty or be posted permanently to the civil branch, will be made applicable to the officers of the Indian Medical Service?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAThere is no present intention of applying to officers of the Indian Medical Service the rules under which military officers permanently appointed to civil employment are, after 10 years' absence from military duty, placed on the Supernumerary List.