Sir SEYMOUR KINGasked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware that the Secretary of State for India in Despatch No. 7 (Telegraph), dated 27th February, 1903, stated that it was desirable, having regard to the existing method of recruiting of the Telegraph Department, that the prospects of advancement in it should not be inferior to those of the Public Works Department; that in 1905 the pay of the administrative grades of the Public Works Department was revised and substantially increased; that at the present time every officer in the Telegraph Department, with the exception of the Director-General, is now drawing less pay 865W to an extent of from 5 to 30 per cent. than he would be drawing had the rates sanctioned for the Public Works Department been also granted to officers of the Telegraph Department; and whether, having regard to the fact that proposals for an increase of pay to the administrative grades of the Telegraph Department were first made in September, 1905, and for executive grades in April, 1907, he will consider the advisability of granting them the increased rates of pay with retrospective effect from the dates on which the pay of officers of corresponding rank in the Public Works Department was increased, so that the officers of the Telegraph Department may not be the losers by reason of the delay which has occurred in dealing with their case?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSE (for Mr. Buchanan)I have recently stated, in reply to a previous question by the hon. Member, that the Government of India will be asked when their recommendations with regard to the re-organisation of the Indian Telegraph Department may be expected? The suggestion now made by the hon. Member will be borne in mind when the recommendations of the Government of India are being considered by the Secretary of State.