EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Under-Secretary for India if it is the intention of the Secretary of State to advise His Majesty to confirm the temporary appointment of the Hon. Mr. Robertson as the member of the Council of the Governor-General in charge of the Department of Commerce and Industry; and, if not, will he say if it is the intention of the Secretary of State to advise His Majesty to appoint a member of the Indian Civil Service or a prominent member of the business community in India?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State does not propose to make any statement as to the advice that he may think fit to tender to His Majesty.
EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Under-Secretary for India if the member of the Council of the Governor-General in charge of the Department of Commerce and Industry had invariably been a member of the Indian Civil Service; if not, would he state from what Service such member or members have been drawn; and whether personal knowledge of the conditions and circumstances of Indian commerce and industry is an indispensable qualification of anyone holding the appointment?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIt happens that the three gentlemen who have hitherto held this post have been members of the Indian Civil Service, although those who were responsible for its creation contemplated that this would be the exception rather than the rule, and did not regard personal knowledge of the conditions and circumstances of Indian commerce and industry as an indispensable qualification.
EARL of RONALDSHAYWas it the intention of those who were responsible for the creation of this post that either a member of the Indian Civil Service or a prominent member of the business community should be appointed?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is impossible to say what was the intention.