HC Deb 05 April 1910 vol 16 cc402-3W
Mr. KELLY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) whether he is yet acquainted with the resolution passed unanimously at the meeting of the medical profession held under the auspices of the Bombay Medical Union on 8th September, 1909; and what steps does he propose to take to allay the discontent amongst Indian medical practitioners, who are still practically excluded from the higher grades of the medical service of their country without coming to this country to sit for the competitive examination for joining the Indian medical service; (2) whether he would ascertain the reasons why the Government of Madras have selected military assistant surgeons, with only four years' course of medical studies and with a qualification not registrable under the Medical Acts, for the posts of senior assistant professor at the Medical College, Madras, and senior assistant surgeon, General Hospital, Madras, and rejected the applications of Indian civil doctors in subordinate medical service with university qualifications registrable under the Medical Acts and with a distinguished medical record; (3) what are the higher grade medical appointments reserved for military doctors belonging to the Indian medical service that have been opened to and filled by well-qualified and competent Indian medical practitioners since the publication of his scheme of reform adumbrated in the Papers recently laid before Parliament; and whether he is aware of the efforts made by officers of the Indian medical service to keep the highly paid posts to their own service?

Mr. MONTAGU

As regards the resolution referred to, it is under consideration by the Government of India in connection with the general question. As to the other points raised in the hon. Member's questions, I must again ask him to refer to the numerous replies already given on the subject.