§ Sir HENRY YOXALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if his attention has been called to the fact that the Government of Bengal have recommended the appointment to the provincial directorship of public instruction of an officer outside the Indian education service; whether such an appointment would be in contravention of the orders of the Secretary of State contained in the dispatches Nos. 6 and 105, dated respectively the 10th of May and the 13th of July, 1906, and of the terms of service laid down in the India Office list; whether he is aware that the promulgation of the orders referred to was due to the dissatisfaction caused by an appointment to the Bengal directorship some seven years ago; and whether, in these circumstances, he proposes to inform the Government of Bengal that their recommendation cannot be accepted?
Mr. BAKERThe question of the appointment of a Director of Public Instruction in Bengal in succession to the present occupant of the office is under consideration, and the Secretary of State is not able at present to make any statement on the subject. Whatever decision may be arrived at, it will be made with due advertence to the standing orders mentioned by my hon. Friend.