40. Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Secretary of State for India if instructions have been given to cease recruitment under his auspices for the services of irrigation, forests, and railways; if so, the date of such instructions; and on what dates British officers were last recruited to these various services?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)It was decided in 1931 to suspend recruitment for the three services to which the Noble Lady refers on account of the need for economy and reduction of work consequent on the slump and an excess of officers already employed. The dates on which British officers were last recruited are 1930 for the Indian Forest Service and 1931 for the irrigation and railway services.