§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, having regard to the large and increasing populations of the British Islands who are at present unable to find employment, and to the amount of land vacant in the Colonies which would be 1174 benefited by an increased population, and in view of the fact that capitalists in London are ready to provide funds for the emigration and settlement of this surplus population, he will consider the advisability of some scheme whereby the interest on the funds so advanced may be guaranteed by the Imperial Government in conjunction with each Colonial Government, such interest being counter-secured by redeemable rent-charge on the land settled or otherwise; whether the Government will, before Prorogation, give an opportunity for taking the opinion of the House on the subject, as suggested by the Marquess of Salisbury, so that it may be communicated to the Colonies during the Vacation; and, whether, if the Government have any doubt that the unoccupied lands of the Colonies have as ample power of producing sustenance and wealth as the other lands of the Empire from which its existing wealth and past sustenance have been derived, they will take steps to ascertain and inform the people of the fact?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The question raised by my hon. Friend is one of great importance, and would require great consideration. I am afraid it will not be possible for Her Majesty's Government to give an opportunity before the Recess for a discussion on the subject. I am not aware that the Marquess of Salisbury has made any suggestion of the nature indicated in the second paragraph of the Question.