§ MR. M'LAGANasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any independent survey has been made, by orders of the Government of this country, of the deposits of guano on the several islands belonging to the Peruvian Government and other islands in the Pacific Ocean; and, if so, whether he has any objection to publish the result of such survey?
§ MR. BOURKESir, strictly speaking, no independent surveys have been made by orders of Her Majesty's Government of the deposits of guano in the islands of the Pacific; but reports upon the subject have been forwarded to the Foreign Office by the Admiralty. These Reports have just been printed with the intention of sending copies to the newspapers and various agricultural societies, and under these circumstances probably the hon. Member will think there is no occasion to lay them before Parliament.