§ * MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the system of combined magisterial and executive functions in the same official is one which was created by the British in India, or one inherited by them from their predecessors; whether, if the latter be the fact and this system has obtained from time immemorial, the Government will see fit not to press the 1244 Government of India to hasten to separate such functions, to the prejudice of the general taxpayer, who has made no complaint and knows of no other system; and whether the Government will allow the Government of India to take its own time before embarking upon the creation of large numbers of stipendiary magistrates at the expense of the masses for the benefit of certain classes.
§ * THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. CHARLES HOBHOUSE, Bristol, E.)The practice of combining magisterial with executive functions existed in India before the establishment of British rule. It is certain that no alteration will be made in the existing system except after full consideration of the question by the Government of India.