§ 37. Rear-Admiral SUETERasked the Prime Minister whether, before it was de- 1766 cided to allocate public money to finance Empire migration for the purpose of sending men and women from this country to develop agricultural production in British Dominions overseas, any report was received from the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries which showed that the agricultural resources of the United Kingdom have been fully developed and that no further opportunities for employment in British agriculture now exist; and, if so, whether the Government is satisfied that all possible steps have been, and are being, taken to preserve home agricultural production and employment unimpaired?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)I have been asked to reply. No such Report was asked for nor furnished by my Department, but the Ministry has been consulted from time to time with regard to the Government scheme for migration to British Dominions overseas. With regard to the last part of the question, I am satisfied that the Overseas Settlement scheme has not had a prejudicial effect on home agricultural production and employment.