Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Indian police service is reserved exclusively for Europeans; and, if not, what provision is made for the entry into the service of properly qualified natives of India?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the personnel of the lower ranks of the police service is almost exclusively Indian. Recruitment for the higher ranks is twofold, namely, that of essistant-superintendents in this country, and that of deputy-superintendents in India. The former must by regulation be of European descent, the latter must be Indians or persons domiciled in India. The former class is divided into three grades, with pay of Rs. 300, Rs. 400, and Rs. 500 a month respectively; the latter into four grades with pay of Rs. 250, Rs. 300, Rs. 400, and Rs. 500 respectively. Both alike are eligible for promotion to the rank of district superintendent. The great majority of deputy-superintendents, who constitute more than a quarter of the higher ranks of the service, are of Asiatic descent.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill the hon. Member, in order to prevent misunderstanding, convey that important information to the Secretary of State for the Colonies?
§ Mr. MONTAGUIf my hon. Friend wants to draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to this answer, he would understand it better if he himself would send him a copy.