§ 15. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for India whether the selection of a judge of the High Court of Madras to fill a vacancy on the Executive Council of the Governor-General is to be regarded as a precedent for making judicial office the stepping stone to high executive appointments?
§ The SECRETARY Of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Chamberlain)The submission of Sir Sankaran Nair's name to His Majesty the King for appointment to the Viceroy's Executive Council was made by my predecessor on the merits of the particular case; it does not indicate the adoption or the abandonment of any general principle of selection.
§ Sir J. D. REESHas it not hitherto been the salutary rule not to promote from judicial office to high executive office?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy hon. Friend is mistaken if he supposes that has never been done before. The only inference which he, or anyone, can draw from this appointment is that the Secretary of State will always get the best man he can.