§ Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Home Department of the Government of India have reserved 25 per cent of Government appointments for Mohammedans, 8⅓per cent for other minorities, 9 per cent. in Post, Telegraph, and Railway Departments for Anglo-Indians and domiciled Europeans, in addition to the number they may secure in open competition; whether he has authorised this discrimination; and if he is aware that this action is resented in India, in view of the fact that the whole question of recruitment is a subject now under consideration by the Joint Select Committee?
§ Sir S. HOAREI approved the arrangements recently announced by the Government of India. These are, however, different from those stated in the question, in as much as the percentages reserved are not in addition to the places obtained by competitive entry but inclusive of them, and there is no special reservation for the Anglo-Indian and domiciled European community in the superior grades of the Posts and Telegraphs and Railways, though the community's position in regard to employment in the superior grades of the railways will be reconsidered if the community should fail to secure sufficient vacancies to maintain approximately their present representation in these grades. The full position can be seen from the copy of the announcement by the Government of India of these arrangements which has been placed in the Library of the House. My information is that the arrangements have been as well received as can be expected where so many different interests are affected. Though the arrangements are, of course, administrative, and not constitutional, the Joint Select Committee lave been kept informed in regard to them.