HC Deb 17 May 1909 vol 5 cc184-5W
Mr. KETTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the higher grades of the medical service of the Native States of India are generally filled by Indians, to the satisfaction of the Government and the public; whether less than 10 per cent. of such positions in British-India are held by Indians; and whether he is aware that the exclusion of native Indians from these well-salaried posts is regarded in India as part of the settled policy of the Indian Government?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

The Secretary of State has no detailed information on the first point, but he has no reason to doubt that the answer is in the affirmative. As regards the proportion of Indians in the Indian Medical Service, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that that service is recruited by competitive examination, and is freely open to natives of India. It is further the policy of Government to encourage the growth of an independent medical profession in India, and to throw open to the profession in general some of the appointments now held by members of the Indian Medical Service. The Secretary of State proposes shortly to present to Parliament papers on this subject.