HC Deb 01 May 1913 vol 52 cc1379-80
77. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the right hon. Gentleman the number of agricultural workers who have emigrated from the United Kingdom during each of the last three years; and, if no such statistics are available, whether he will, in view of the importance to the nation of retaining its agricultural population, institute a system under which a record shall be kept at the ports of agricultural as distinct from urban emigrants?

Mr. ROBERTSON

Figures in which emigrants are distinguished from other passengers from this country have been available only since 1st April, 1912. The number of male emigrants of eighteen years of age and upwards during the nine months, April to December, 1912, who were British subjects and whose occupations as recorded in the passenger lists show them to belong to the agricultural class was 23,289, the corresponding number of immigrants being 2,631. For 1910 and 1911, I am only able to give figures inclusive of all male passengers of twelve years of age and upwards who left this country for countries out of Europe. The agricultural class among such adult male British outward passengers numbered 24,174 in 1910 and 33,232 in 1911; in the first three months of 1912 they numbered 7,485. I may add that the frequent use of the vague description "labourer" in the statements of occupations greatly diminishes the value of the statistics.

Mr. RAFFAN

What proportion of these agricultural labourers went to Canada, and what proportion went elsewhere?

Mr. ROBERTSON

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to give me notice I shall be able to answer that question.

Sir J. JARDINE

Do these figures include Scotch people, if so, what are their numbers, and what number went from the county of Roxburgh?

Mr. ROBERTSON

If my hon. Friend will be so good as to give me notice, I shall be able to answer him.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

Is it not a fact that while the emigration from the agricultural districts has been great, the chief part of the emigration has been from urban and not rural districts?

Mr. ROBERTSON

Again I should prefer to have notice of that question.