§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked whether the Government of India had yet considered or come to a decision upon the memorial, signed by Lord Hobhouse, Sir Richard Couch, Sir Richard Garth, Sir Charles Sargent, Sir William Markby, Sir John Phear, Sir John Scott, and other distinguished retired chief justices and judges of the High Court, and persons acquainted with the administration of the law in India, suggesting a separation in the judicial and executive functions, presented to the then Secretary of State in 1899, and to which the present Secretary of State called the attention of the Government of India in 1906?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The question is still under the consideration of the Government of India, who have consulted the Governments of the two Bengals regarding a tentative proposal for the complete separation of judicial and executive functions in selected districts by way of experiment. The matter is one of great moment, and has not yet reached a stage at which definite proposals could be laid before the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEThen the paragraph appearing in the papers a few days ago which stated that the Government had come to a decision was incorrect?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe information which I have given to the hon. Gentleman is correct. I have not seen the paragraph in the papers.
§ Mr. REESIs the Under-Secretary of State aware that there are an equally large number of equally eminent persons who deprecate the proposed measure, which is intended to impair the position of the district officers, and will the hon. Gentleman duly consider this aspect of the question?
§ Mr. MONTAGUMy hon. Friend may rest assured that the consideration I have alluded to will be complete.