§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the rule which obtains in Bengal to the effect that a confidential report by a superior officer against a subordinate is communicated to such subordinate, obtains in other pro vinces; if not, whether it is proposed to make this practice of universal application; whether the amalgamation of the Civil and Public Works Accounts Department has led to the loss of this privilege by the audit officers of the latter Department; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to restore this right to them?
§ Mr. HAROLD BAKERThe Bengal rule requiring that all officers shall be informed of unfavourable comments in reports of superior officers is fully in force in some provinces, and in others in a restricted or qualified form. Independently of this rule special rules govern the cases of Public Works and Forest officers and of Indian Medical Service officers in civil employ. The amalgamation of the Public Works Accounts with the Civil Accounts has removed the former officers from the operation of the special rules, but a warning is conveyed to any officer who is the subject of an unsatisfactory report.