HC Deb 24 November 1908 vol 197 cc95-7
MR. ESSEX (Gloucestershire, Cirencester)

I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the names of those Colonies and Dependencies which insist upon an emigrant from Great Britain having in his possession a certain minimum sum in cash; and what are the respective minimum amounts in each case.

THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Colonel SEELY,) Liverpool, Abercromby

Im- migrants into Canada landing before 1st January, 1909, are required to be in possession of at least 25 dollars; immigrants landing between 1st January and 15th February, 1909, must be in possession of at least 50 dollars, immigrants landing after the latter date must be in possession of 25 dollars. Immigrants into the Cape of Good Hope must be in possession of £20. Immigrants into the Transvaal must have a similar sum or a promise in writing from some employer of repute of immediate employment on arrival. In the case of the East African Prtectorate an immigrant must satisfy the authorities that he has visible means of support, or he may be required to deposit £50.

MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any colony other than Canada compulsorily expropriates immigrants who have been in the Colony nearly two years because they are out of employment?

COLONEL SEELY

I do not think that arises out of the Question.

MR. R. DUNCAN (Lanarkshire, Govan)

asked whether there was any difference in the sum required in the case of a British subject and an immigrant of any other nationality.

COLONEL SEELY

asked for notice of the Question.

MR. ESSEX

I beg to ask the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if he will state which Colonies or Dependencies, if any, forbid the entry of British emigrants who are under contracts of service to employers in such Colonies and Dependencies.

COLONEL SEELY

The entrance of immigrants under a contract to perform manual labour into Autralia is forbidden unless the contract has been approved by the Minister for External Affairs. The circumstances in which such approval must be given, and the penalty imposed on an immigrant landing before approval has been given are laid down in the Commonwealth Act, No. 19, of 1905, the text of which is printed on pages 52 and 53 of the "Emigration Statutes and General Handbook," issued by the Emigrants' Information Office.