8. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for India what is the number of applications for premature retirement which have up to the present been received from members of the Indian Civil Service; and what was the number of applications for posts in the Indian Service received from British subjects in the years 1913, 1914, 1919, 1920, and 1921, respectively?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have so far received 16 applications for premature retirement, but cannot yet say how many more have been received by, or are on their way to, 1691 me from, the local Governments in India, to whom applications have to be addressed in the first instance. Except for a special provision under which subjects of native States in India may become eligible, all candidates for the Indian Civil Service are necessarily British subjects, but I have assumed that my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind European candidates. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for which he asks.