§ 6. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the sanction of Parliament is necessary, under the Act of 1915, and, if so, has it been obtained, to the nomination of the thirty-two extra 1467 Indians to the Indian Civil Service that has recently been announced; whether the nomination of these thirty-two extra Indians is in excess of the normal number of Indians securing appointments by open competition; if so, by how many; whether the vacancies in excess of the normal number are to be reserved for Indians who have served during the War; and, if not, why not?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Memorandum prefaced to the Provisional Rules under the-Indian Civil Service (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1915, which were presented to Parliament last Monday. The proposed nomination of Indians to the Indian Civil Service under that Act does not require the previous sanction of Parliament. The number of Indians normally securing appointments by open competition has been about four a year. Spread over five years, 1915–19, during which time over 200 vacancies in the Indian Civil Service have accumulated, the nominations that are proposed to be now made will represent about six a year. The nominations will not be confined to Indians who have served in the War. As the hon. Member is aware, it has been almost impossible for Indians to obtain King's commissions in the British or the Indian Army under the system hitherto in force. Any Indians who can show war service are eligible for selection, equally with Europeans, by the Selection Board sitting at Burlington House.
§ Colonel YATEHow many Indians who have served in the War will be given priority in these vacancies in the Civil Service?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI do not know yet that any Indians who have served in the War have applied, but if Indians apply under the scheme for nomination of Indians in India preference will be given to those who have served in the War.