§ Sir HENRY CRAIKasked whether the attention of the Secretary of State has been called to the fact that, owing to the increased cost of living in India, due to the rise of prices, wages, and house rent, the position of members of the Indian Civil Service has greatly deteriorated, and that this has been aggravated by block of promotion due to irregular recruitment; and whether, as the increased cost of living has rendered necessary an improvement in the pay of other services in India, e.g., the Army, the Public Works Department, the Police, and the Forest Department, the Secretary of State proposes to take any action to effect a corresponding improvement in the conditions of the Indian Civil Service?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State in Council accepted last year the conclusions at which the Government of India had arrived as the result of their second quinquennial examination of the 1318 state and prospects of the Indian Civil Service. They concluded that, on the whole, their present system of recruitment had, so far, proved satisfactory. In the case of two provinces they recommended certain improvements, which were sanctioned, and they have under consideration the case of a third. They have made no further proposal in the, direction suggested by the hon. Member.