§ Mr. STAVELEY-HILLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the post of Secretary to the Judicial Committee in the India Office, recently held by Sir Robert Risley, had been filled by the appointment of Mr. Seton, an official of the India Office of sixteen years' standing, who had never been in India; whether, by this appointment, there remained only one 2507 secretary to a committee in the India Office who had had personal experience of India; and whether it was intended to deprive members of the Indian Civil Service of their prospects of appointment to such posts, for which they had qualified by long service in an unhealthy climate and under severe conditions?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)Mr. Seton has been appointed as Secretary to the Judicial and Public Department of the India Office because, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, he is in every way qualified to fill that responsible position. I trust that this answer will satisfy any doubts which the hon. Member may have, and that it unnecessary for me to go in detail into the question.
§ Mr. STAVELEY-HILLWill the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think it would be highly prejudicial to the public interest if either branch of the Service were considered to have a vested interest in any particular appointments.