§ 5. Colonel APPLINasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that officers of the Indian subordinate medical service who served with the Army throughout the War, and have since qualified in Great Britain in medicine and surgery, are debarred from entering the Indian Medical Service because their War Service prevented them qualifying within the age limit; and if he will consider extending the 821 age limit to 34 years in the case of medical officers who have been prevented from qualifying before reaching the age of 32 by reason of such War service?
§ Earl WINTERTONAdmission to the Indian Medical Service of members of the Indian Medical Department was one of the matters raised by the recent Anglo-Indian Deputation. My hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion will be considered when the Government of India's views have been ascertained.
§ Colonel APPLINIs the Noble Lord aware that these subordinate medical officers have done five years' service in the field in the same capacity as that in which they would act were they admitted to the service?
§ Earl WINTERTONOf course, my hon. and gallant friend is aware that it was not held out to these men when they entered the medical service that there was any reasonable expectation that they would obtain what is in fact promotion in the Indian Medical Service, and cases of officers promoted before the War were very rare. Certain promotions were made as a result of war service, but I cannot give any undertaking on the specific point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend.