HL Deb 16 March 1891 vol 351 c1035

Bill read 3a (according to order).

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Viscount CROSS)

My Lords, I have an Amendment to add by way of a new clause. A question has been suggested whether the illness of a Governor General or other officers, and the necessity of their coming home, might be considered a public or a sufficient ground. It has, therefore, been thought necessary to introduce a new clause in order to make that quite clear. The members of the Council and Lieutenant Governors can all come home on sick leave at the present moment, and this is only for the purpose of putting the other members on the same footing.

Moved, after Clause 2, to insert the following Clause:— 3. "It shall be lawful for the Secretary of State in Council to grant to any of the several officers specified in the Second Schedule to this Act leave of absence from his duties under medical certificate for a period not exceeding six months; and the absence, whether in or out of India, of any such officer upon leave under medical certificate as aforesaid, shall not be deemed in law a resignation and avoidance of his office or offices or employment, but such officer during such absence on leave under medical certificate shall retain his office or offices, and shall, on his return to and resumption of his duties, receive half his salary for the period of such absence, but if his absence shall exceed six months his office or offices shall be vacated."—(Viscount Cross.)

Amendment agreed to.

Verbal Consequential Amendments agreed to.

Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.