§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether at the very time when the Indian Government has been pressing on one side for access to the scene of the murder of the late Mr. Margary, under circumstances which have occasioned great complications, on the other side where we have already direct relations with the Chinese Government, an inquiry by British officers into the circumstances of the murder, to which that Government has consented, is now delayed for no other reason than the heat of the weather; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government will consider the necessity of insisting on greater expedition; and, whether it is true, as stated in some of the public prints, that a pecuniary indemnity for Mr. Margary's death has been sought at the hands of the Chinese Government; if so, who has suffered pecuniary loss by that sad occurrence, and for whose benefit an indemnity was sought?
§ MR. BOURKE, in reply, said, that no doubt the heat of the weather in China had been one reason for deferring the inquiry referred to, and it was the first duty of Mr. Wade to consider the health of the persons under him. The mission would probably start before long; but there were other causes besides the hot weather which prevented it from starting—causes which related to the state of the country both on the side of Burmah and of China, as well as other considerations concerning political complications. With regard to the indemnity, until all the negotiations were completed, the Government did not think it would be desirable to make any public announcement upon the subject.