§ 18. Mr. THURTLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to an advertisement in the London Press for applications for an appointment as assistant examiner of questioned documents under the Government of India, offering a salary of Rs.400 a month plus overseas pay Rs.150 a month, rising to Rs.900 a month plus overseas pay £30 a month in the 12th year, with free first-class passage to India; whether he is aware that all the qualifications laid down are of a kind that could be fulfilled by applicants in India; and why this appointment should have been advertised in this country in view of the Government's policy of Indianisation?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The recruitment is being under- 1387 taken by the High Commissioner for India on behalf of the Government of India, who no doubt first ascertained that candidates with the special qualifications required were not obtainable in India. I understand that Indian candiates applying here will, if qualified, be eligible for selection.
§ 19. Mr. SPOORasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any protests have been received by the Secretary of State for India or by the Government of India from the Indian Merchants' Chamber regarding the appointment of an assistant accountant under the port commissioners, Calcutta; whether he is aware that the qualifications are so framed as to exclude Indians, being limited entirely to qualified chartered accountants, thus excluding Indian incorporated accountants; and, seeing that the Government of India have not found it necessary to advertise for chartered accountants for posts in its accounts department, will he look into the matter?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend has not received any communication on the subject from the Indian Merchants' Chamber or from any other person or body in India. He does not propose to take any action in the matter.
§ 30. Mr. J. BAKERasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any protest has been received by the Secretary of State or by the Government of India from the Indian Merchants' Chamber of Bombay against the extension of the term of Sir Clement Hindley, the senior member of the Railway Board, on the ground that such extensions block the way of Indians whose appointment on the Board the Indian legislative assembly has persistently urged; whether he is aware that Sir Basil Blackett gave an undertaking on behalf of the Government of India to the Indian legislative assembly to appoint an Indian to the Board at the earliest opportunity; and why this undertaking has not been carried out?
§ Earl WINTERTONMy Noble Friend has seen in the Indian Press a copy of the protest referred to. The Government of India have agreed that Indians should be appointed as members of the Railway Board as early as possible, but 1388 this cannot be done until Indians of the requisite standing and experience are available.