§ 26. Sir GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSONasked the Secretary of State for India whether it is still the fact that no chief nor scion even of the most famous fighting families or of the greatest landed families in India can enter the military service of his own country as a professional soldier with any hope of attaining in any circumstances to the rank of second lieutenant in the Army; and, if this is so, will he, seeing there is to be no discussion of the Indian accounts this year, give the subject his careful examination before deciding that this prohibition, necessarily must be continued?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)This question has occupied the attention of two at least of my predecessors, and has been the subject of confidential communications with the military authorities in India and here on more than one occasion. In the short time which has elapsed since I took office it has not been possible for me to acquaint myself fully with the facts and history of the case—still less to form a judgment upon them. At present, therefore, I can only say that to this as to other problems of Indian administration, I bring an open mind, and they will receive my careful attention as opportunity offers for their study.
§ Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, as I am sure he is, that the nature of his reply will gladden the whole of India and Indians generally throughout the world?