HC Deb 03 April 1933 vol 276 cc1409-11
11. Mr. D. GRENFELL

asked the Secretary of State fur India what preparations the Government of India are making towards the gradual Indianisation of the foreign and political Departments of the Government of India, especially in the responsible grades, so that Indians may have the training necessary for ultimately taking over these Departments?

Sir S. HOARE

The Government of India are pursuing their policy of introducing a substantial Indian element into their foreign and political Department.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is it not the case that the Civil Service is open to every Indian who has the capabilities to pass the examination?

Sir S. HOARE

I should like to give the hon. Member a detailed answer, if he would put that question down. Speaking generally, recruitment is made by proportions between European and Indian candidates, but there is a very open career, as the hon. Gentleman implies in his question, to Indian candidates.

13. Duchess of ATHOLL

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of British officers of the All-India Services who have retired on proportionate pension in the years 19)9 to 1932, inclusive?

Sir S. HOARE

With my Noble Friend's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures asked for. But I would draw the attention of my Noble Friend to the answer which I gave in reply to her question on the 20th March, with regard to the dates on which the proportionate pension scheme came into force.

Following are the figures:

Number of British officers of the All-India Services who have retired on proportionate pension in each of the years 1921 to 1932 inclusive.

1921 (November and December) 5
1922 190
1923 94
1924 54
1925 18
1926 25
1927 34
1928 22
1929 30
1930 36
1931 38
1932 12
Total 558
14. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of Europeans in the Indian Civil Service and the Indian police, respectively, in 1928 and at the present time; and what estimate is made of the number that will remain in five years' time provided that the present rate of Indianisation continues?

Sir S. HOARE

On the 1st January, 1928, there were 922 Europeans in the Indian Civil Service, and 569 in the Indian Police; the corresponding figures on the 1st January, 1932 (the latest date for which particulars are available) were 843 and 528. Provided that the present rate of Indianisation continues, there should on the basis of the present cadres be about 670 Europeans in the Indian Civil Service and about 460 in the Indian Police on the 1st January, 1938.

Sir A. KNOX

Is it not possible to check the speed of this Indianisation, in view of the fact that the efficiency of the Services must certainly suffer before the Statutory Commission which it is proposed to set up in five years time?

Sir S. HOARE

My hon. and gallant Friend raises a very big question in a supplementary question, which I would rather deal with in debate.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Is there any experience which would give colour to the allegation of inefficiency?

Sir S. HOARE

No. I can certainly say that, speaking generally, the Indian Services are very efficient.