§ SIR RICHARD TEMPLE (Worcester, Evesham)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the increase of population which has taken place since 1850 in the Colony of British Guiana; whether he can state the total area of the Colony, and what proportion is now under beneficial occupation; and whether any steps have been taken since the Royal Proclamations of 1886 and 1887, to survey and colonise the vast tract of country lying between the Essequebo and Cuyuni on the North and West, to the Brazilian Frontier?
§ MR. STUART WORTLEY (for Baron H. de WORMS)The population in 1851 was 127,695. It is now estimated at about 290,000, but the Census Returns have not yet been received. The total area of the Colony may be roughly stated to be about 120,000 square miles. 283 The Blue Book Returns show 172,522 acres, as under beneficial occupation exclusive of Georgetown and the mining districts. As regards the last paragraph of the question, no steps have yet been taken beyond those mentioned in the reply given to my hon. Friend on the 5th instant.