§ MR. SETON-KARR (St. Helen's); I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Imperial Government have arranged to advance £150,000 to the Government of British Columbia for the purposes of colonisation in that country; if so, at what rate of interest, on what security, and for what 834 period; in what sums and at what dates will the said principal sum be advanced; what will be the constitution of the authority to be appointed to carry out the details of the work; from what part or parts of the United Kingdom will the families to be colonised be chosen, and when is it proposed to commence to send them out; on what principle will such families or persons be chosen, and by whom; and is the work to be carried out entirely under Government supervision, or will the organisation of any private commercial company be utilised in any way for this purpose?
§ MR. GOSCHENWe have been informed by the Government of British Columbia that an Act has been passed by the Legislature of that Province to authorise the acceptance of the offer made by Her Majesty's Government of an advance of £150,000 for the purpose of crofter colonisation in that country. It is proposed that this sum should be lent in three instalments of £50,000 each, the second and third instalments not to be advanced until the first and second instalments have been spent. The rate of interest will be three per cent., and the security will be the guarantee of the British Columbian Government. Repayment is to begin after five years and to be spread over a period of twenty-five years. It is proposed to commence colonisation under this arrangement as soon as possible. The Government of British Columbia contemplate sending a Representative to confer with Her Majesty's Government upon the details of the scheme. The hon. Member will understand, therefore, that the details of organisation about which he asks are not settled yet. Legislation will, of course, be needed before the proposed advance can be made, so that the House will have full opportunity for considering the scheme when it is complete.
§ MR. SETON-KARRI wish to ask whether any families will be sent out this year?
§ MR. GOSCHENThat will depend on the representation of the British Columbian Representative who is coming over, but who has not yet arrived.
§ MR. SETON-KARRWill the right hon. Gentleman give me some information as to the last clause of my question?
§ MR. GOSCHENOn that I shall have to confer with the Representative of the British Columbian Government. The point is not yet settled.