HC Deb 20 January 1913 vol 47 cc38-9
71. Dr. CHAPPLE

asked the right hon. Member whether his attention has been called to the increasing efforts of Australia and Canada to attract from Britain our best agriculturists, together with their increasing precautions against the immigration of the inefficient; and whether he would be prepared to set up a committee with instructions to report on the best means of co-ordinating the efforts of emigration societies whose best service to this country is to emigrate the worst with the efforts of the Colonies, whose best service to their respective countries is to attract the best, in order that from the mass of people between these two extremes a system of selection and State aid may be established, beneficial alike to Britain, to the Dominions, and to the emigrants themselves?

Mr. HARCOURT

I am aware that it is sometimes considered that the emigration of our agricultural population has attained excessive proportions, but I doubt whether the establishment of a committee such as is proposed would serve any useful purpose. The Dominions Royal Commission has already taken some evidence on the subject of migration within the Empire, and it will no doubt be prepared to hear further evidence on the subject later.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Dominions Migration Committee have reported that it is essential to have a proper system of migration from this country to the Oversea Dominions?

Mr. HARCOURT

I am aware of the contents of the interim Report of the Committee.

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