HC Deb 06 July 1905 vol 148 cc1317-8
MR. HERBERT ROBERTS

To ask the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a recent notification in the Bengal Government Gazette, stating that 30 per cent. of the appointments on pay of Rs. 40 per month and upwards, in the Office of the Board of Revenue, will be reserved for Europeans and Eurasians; whether he † See (4) Debates, cvii., 1342. ‡ See (4) Debates, cxxxv., 1211. will disallow this notification in view of the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1833 and the Queen's Proclamation of 1858; whether the services of qualified Europeans can be obtained in Bengal for Rs. 40 per month; and whether similar rules in favour of Europeans exist as regards the establishments of other departments in the Government service.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) I have seen the notification referred to in the Question; it applies to the Office of the Board of Revenue a principle which, in September last, was publicly announced as applicable to several other offices. I do not consider that it conflicts with the provisions of the Act and Proclamation mentioned in the Question. The Europeans and Eurasians contemplated in the rule are presumably themselves natives of India, and for certain duties possess qualifications which are valuable to Government. The limit of pay necessary to secure the assistance of persons of this class is a matter for the consideration of the Government in India.