§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Mr. G. R. Kenrick, a barrister of 16 years' standing, practising at the Outer Bar in England, without previous experience in India, has been appointed by the Secretary of State to the position of Advocate-General of Bengal, and thereby becomes chief law officer to the Bengal Government and official head of the Bar in India, with an official salary and precedence of other members of the Bar; what is the date of the last occasion on which an appointment was made from Home to this office; and whether, having regard to the fact that the Advocate-Generalship has been given for a generation to gentlemen practising at the Indian Bar of long experience of the making and administration of courts of law in India, he will state the reasons in this case of the departure from established practice?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe office of Advocate-General at Madras was filled by an appointment from this country in 1900. The appointment referred to in the question was made by the Crown on the recommendation of the Secretary of State, who is fully responsible. The Secretary of State does not consider it desirable to state the reasons for his recommendation.
§ Mr. MacNEILLI did not ask about Madras. I want to know the date the office of Advocate-General of Bengal was last filled by a gentleman of the Outer Bar of England, who had never been to India and knew nothing about Indian administration?
§ Mr. MacNEILLWas not the last occasion in 1874?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWill the hon. Gentleman put that question down?
§ Mr. MacNEILLIt is put down in the question.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must really remind the hon. Member that there are 80 questions on the Paper. It is very easy to put these questions down if the hon. Member will give himself the trouble.
§ Mr. MacNEILLOf course, I will not press it further, but, with great respect, the question is put down.