§ 40. Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the provision in the Estimates for 1923–24, namely, £1,206,200, does not represent the full amount allowed under the Empire Settlement Act, his Department is withholding grants on grounds of 2336 economy or because the organisation is not yet sufficiently developed for more money to be used?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The amount provided in the Estimates for 1923–24 represents the anticipated expenditure at the time the Estimates were drawn up in respect of schemes under the Empire Settlement Act which have already been agreed upon or are likely to mature during the financial year. Should additional expenditure become necessary, further provision will be made by means of a Supplementary Estimate. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that the expenditure of His Majesty's Government under the Act cannot exceed the amount which the Dominion Governments and other organisations are prepared to contribute.
§ Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSWhen does the hon. Gentleman hope to reach the £3,000,000 limit which was voted by the House?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWhen the equivalent amount is put up by the overseas Governments.
§ 41. Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what sums have been appropriated in the Budgets of the various overseas Dominions for use in connection with overseas settlement during the coming financial year?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Dominion Budgets for the coming financial year are not yet available.
§ 42. Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the net emigration from this country of British subjects to the Crown Colonies and Protectorates during 1913 and 1922, respectively?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI have been asked to reply. As nearly as can be ascertained the net emigration from the United Kingdom to the Crown Colonies (exclusive of Ceylon) in 1913 was 1,461. For 1922 there was an excess of immigrants over emigrants of 231. Ceylon is excluded because the figures have hot been compiled separately from those for India.
§ Mr. WHEATLEYWould it be possible for the hon. Gentleman to take any steps which would tend to ensure that the British capital exported during the same period would go to the British emigrants to establish them in their new homes?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThat hardly arises out of the question.