§ 7. Sir J. D. REESasked whether the intention of the Secretary of State, when lie sanctioned the provisional reorganisation of the Bombay Political Department, was to arrange that officers of that Department below the second grade residents should receive the same terms as might be fixed for the corresponding grades in the Political Department of the Government of India, or whether his intention was that such arrangement should refer to officers below the rank of second grade political agents, in which latter event the cases most requiring would receive no attention; whether the Government of India proposes to give effect to the wishes of the Secretary of State, whether or not rightly interpreted in this question; and, if so, when definite action may be expected in view of the fact that this question has been under consideration for upwards of seven years?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe intention of the Secretary of State in Council was that eventually the officers of the Bombay Political Department below the second grade of political agents should receive substantially the same terms as should be fixed for the corresponding grades of the Foreign Department of the Government of India. Proposals for giving effect to this intention are under discussion between the Government of India and Bombay. The Secretary of State greatly regrets the delay which has taken place. He expects shortly to receive the recommendations of the Government of India.