SIR JAMES LAWRENCEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether there is not an existing arrangement by which the Imperial Government are bound to provide free passages for more than a thousand emigrants to Western Australia; and, whether, having regard to the depression of trade and want of employment in England, the Government are now prepared to carry out this arrangement?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHThere was formerly an arrangement for sending out free emigrants to Western Australia pari passu with convicts transported there; but at the cessation of transportation the matter appears to have been carefully considered in 1869 by the Government then in Office, and the arrangement was definitively given up. The hon. Member is probably aware that the Poor Law Guardians are empowered to give certain facilities for emigration should they choose to do so.