§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the civil surgeons in India are usually military doctors belonging to the Indian Medical Service, and that their duties are very light and leave them ample time for private practice; whether the same work is done in the native states by doctors who do not belong to the Indian Medical Service at a much less cost and to the entire satisfaction of the Government and the public; and whether he could say when he will introduce his proposed scheme for the reform of the medical service of India?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe hon. Member is correct in stating that the civil surgeons in India are usually officers of the Indian Medical Service. The Secretary of State has no detailed information as to the amount of time which they are able to spare from their official duties for private practice, nor is anything known as to the work of medical practitioners in native states. The Secretary of State is still in communication with the Government of India in regard to the best means of promoting the growth of an independent medical profession in India.