§ 49. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Prime Minister how many ex-service men and women have been migrated with the assistance of State funds since the Armistice; what amount has been expended on this migration; what amount has been expended in migration out of the National Relief Fund; and what moneys are now in hand?
§ Mr. AMERYI have been asked to answer this question. The number of warrant books issued to ex-service men and women entitling them and their 1342 dependants to free passages within the Empire under the Government free passage scheme from the commencement of the scheme in April, 1919, to the end of May last was 30,904, covering in all 54,040 individuals. During this period £895,000 was paid for passages. Since the 1st January last £32,700 has been spent out of public funds in providing additional assistance, making in all the sum of £927,700. It is not at present proposed to continue this supplementary assistance beyond the 30th June. The total sum allocated by the National Relief Fund for purposes of oversea settlement was £375,000. Of this amount £365,000 has been actually expended or has been earmarked for expenditure. The balance from this source still available for distribution is, therefore, approximately £10,000.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWould the hon. Gentleman give the total expenditure?
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not very much cheaper and in the interests of economy that every facility should be given to intending emigrants to emigrate, rather than that they should receive Unemployment Benefit lasting, perhaps, for a whole year?
§ Mr. G. BARNESAre steps taken to see that these men reside in the Overseas Dominions, and is track kept of them in the event of their leaving for other countries?
§ Mr. AMERYAs far as possible we do try to keep in touch with them. We have a great deal of correspondence from them, and on the whole they have done very satisfactorily.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.