§ Mr. LAWSONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the Emigrants' Information Office have no direct means of obtaining information in respect to the demand for labour in various trades in the Dominions and Colonies overseas except in answer to certain circular letters addressed to correspondents; if at present the information published is mainly drawn from newspaper reports and official publications of the various Governments; whether this belated information is sufficient for the purposes of the Labour Exchanges; and whether it is proposed to have the principal facts and figures telegraphed from week to week; (2) whether he is in negotiation with the High Commissioners and Agents-General of the various Colonies with a view to bringing the Labour Exchanges into touch with the labour departments overseas; and whether the managing committee of the Emigrants' Information Office is to contain representatives of the Labour Exchanges?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Sydney Buxton)The information of the Emigrants' Information Office is, I am informed, derived from official sources and from unofficial local correspondents in the Dominions and Colonies and from newspaper reports. This information on the general labour conditions prevailing in the overseas Dominions is of use to the Labour Exchanges, but it is hoped that fuller information will ultimately be available as to the existence of particular opportunities of employment. The whole subject of the relation of the Labour Exchanges to employment in the Colonies is now under careful consideration in conjunction with the Colonial Office.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no information sent by cable in respect of the demand for labour overseas?
§ Mr. BUXTONI think that is a point the hon. Gentleman might mention again. The matter is being considered.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKESupposing that official information was given, would artisans assisted and sent out under the Labour Exchanges Act be admitted to Canada?
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not think the matter arises now. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question on the subject.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEMay I ask whether the Regulations under the Labour Exchanges Act, which allow of the payment of fares from one part of the United Kingdom to another, apply from one part of the Empire to another.
§ Mr. BUXTONThat is a point also for consideration. As I have already said, this question is not a very simple one. It is under consideration by the Colonial Office, and they hope to arrive at a satisfactory solution.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEWill the right hon. Gentleman see that in the consideration of this matter the opinion of the trade unions of Canada will be taken into account?
§ Mr. GRETTONIs it intended to facilitate the emigration to the Colonies of the unemployed by means of the Labour Exchanges?
§ Mr. BUXTONMy answer covers that point.