HC Deb 26 May 1908 vol 189 cc937-9
DR. RUTHERFORD (Middlesex, Brentford)

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for India whether it is necessary for Indian gentlemen to come over to England in order to enter the India Indian Medical Service; and whether His Majesty's Government will advise the Government of India to hold, examinations for the Indian Medical Service simultaneously in India.

MR. BUCHANAN

To the first part of the Question the reply is in the affirmative. It is not contemplated to hold examinations for the Indian Medical Service simultaneously in England and India.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

asked whether this arrangement prevented qualified Indian students from obtaining positions to which they would be otherwise entitled.

MR. BUCHANAN

They are under the disadvantage that they have to come over here for examination.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

Is it intended to make any change in that respect?

MR. BUCHANAN

No, Sir.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a Resolution was carried by this House recommending that these examinations should be held simultaneously in India and England? I think the hon. Member voted for it in his unregenerate days.

MR. BUCHANAN

I do not think I did.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Perhaps you were more discreet at that time.

DR. RUTHERFORD

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the chief appointments at the hospitals and medical schools and colleges in India are confined to members of the Indian Medical Service; and whether His Majesty's Government will advise the Government of India to open these important appointments to Indian subjects of the King, without bias of race, creed, or colour.

MR. BUCHANAN

It is the case that a certain number of appointments in the Presidency hospitals and medical schools are reserved for members of the Indian Medical Service. That service is recruited by open competition in which Indian subjects are freely admitted. The Secretary of State is not wholly satisfied with existing arrangements and is in communication with the Government of India on this subject.