§ MR. M'LARENasked the First Commissioner of Works, Whether the completion of the Ordnance Survey of Scotland has been delayed, and the expense increased, by the owners and occupiers, of deer forests inducing the Government to suspend surveying operations in those districts where deer forests exist, during the three most favourable months of each year for conducting such operations; and, if so, what is the estimated additional expense incurred annually by reason of these interruptions and the necessary transference of the surveying corps to other districts, and when the survey may be expected to be completed?
§ MR. AYRTON, in reply, said, that arrangements hitherto had been made by which due regard had been paid to the use of the deer forests without incurring any additional expense by suspending operations; but as the survey proceeded to more remote parts of Scotland, where deer forests prevailed, though some obstacles would be interposed to the survey, the Government did not intend to sacrifice in any way public interests to the convenience of the owners of property. He could not state when the survey would be completed.