DR. RUTHERFORDI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Secretary of State for India has received a memorial from the barrister practising in the Madras Presidency pointing out that the increase in the number of Judges in the Madras High Court will involve a decrease in the number of Indian Judges, unless the vacancy caused by the decease of Mr. Justice Boddam is filled by an Indian barrister; and whether the Secretary of State will decide that two at least out of the seven Judges of that High Court shall be Indians.
§ MR. BUCHANANThe Secretary of State is aware that such a memorial is on the way to him from the Government of Madras, but he has not yet received it. The appointment to which the hon. Member refers has already been offered to an Indian barrister, who yesterday declined it. The Secretary of State is not prepared to advise that a fixed number of Judgeships of the Madras High Court shall be reserved either for Indians or for Europeans.