§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether any restriction is placed on native soldiers desirous of acquiring land in the new canal colonies, while clerks of the civil department have no such difficulty; and whether, as this is likely to have a bad effect on recruiting and the espirit de 608 corps of the men, will he take steps to remove such disabilities.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. CHARLES HOBHOUSE, Bristol, E.)I am not aware that native soldiers are at a disadvantage in obtaining grants of land in the canal colonies. In each colony a considerable area has been set aside for military colonists, the distribution being left to the military authorities. Reward grants to civil employees are subject to a similar restriction of area, and it is by no means the case that clerks in the civil departments obtain grants without difficulty.