§ Mr. HAZLETONasked the Under-Secretary for India what is the percentage of Indians amongst the officers of the Indian Medical Service; what is the total cost for the upkeep of this service; what is the charge on the Indian Treasury for recruiting the higher grades of the medical service of India in this country, and sending the successful candidates to India; what is the number of officers who are on leave every year and the cost of the extra number taken into the service during their absence owing to Indian assistant surgeons not being allowed to take their places; and when he proposes to open the higher grades to qualified and capable Indians?
The MASTER of ELIBANKThe percentage of Indians (i.e., pure Asiatics) among the officers of the Indian Medical Service is rather more than five. The total cost of the officers of this service on the active list, including both those in military and in civil employ, is approximately £570,500 a year. The charge for recruiting those officers, both European and Asiatic (both being recruited in England) is about £12,260 a year, which includes the pay of the officers while under training in England. The average number on leave may be taken as 123. The vacancies so arising are filled from the establishment, and not by extra appointments. The higher grades are already open to qualified and capable Indians.