§ 35. Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if the Overseas Committee over which he now presides will give special consideration to furthering the work of the Salvation Army's migration efforts by allowing such work to come within the scope of the Empire Settlement Act?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYYes. Sir; the Oversea Settlement Committee are at present negotiating schemes under the Act with the Salvation Army.
§ 36. Colonel MAURICE ALEXANDERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade. Department how many people of British stock have left the British Isles during the last 50 years for the British Dominions, and how many for places outside the British Empire?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYAs the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The number of British subjects recorded as having left the United Kingdom 50 years, 1873 to 1922, was 11,372,384. Of for countries outside Europe during the 24 these 5,294,655 were going to countries within the British Empire, and 5,982,076 to foreign countries. During the same period 5,508,314 British subjects arrived in the United Kingdom from countries outside Europe, namely, 2,336,267 from British Dominions and 3,002,282 from foreign countries. These figures show an excess outwards of 2,958,388 to British Empire countries and 2,979,794 to foreign countries. In addition to the numbers shown above as travelling to and from British countries and to and from foreign countries, the records for the first 20 years of the period under consideration show 95,653 persons as leaving for and 169,765 persons as arriving from places not sufficiently defined for classification under one or other of these heads.
§ 38. Mr. PETOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will consider the establishment of training camps in this country in order to train bodies of urban unemployed in simple agricultural operations and fit them for overseas agricultural life?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYThe question raised by my hon. Friend is one which has previously received consideration by the Oversea Settlement Committee. I shall be glad to give it my attention. I understand, however, that it is generally held in the Dominions that agricultural training (except in the case of juveniles) can he more effectively given overseas than in this country.
§ Mr. J. JONESIs the Salvation Army the only organisation which is to be allowed to participate in the scheme?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat matter does no( arise on this question.
§ Dr. MACNAMARADoes the scheme provide for training on the other side? Has that been suggested to or considered by the Oversea Committee?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYYes, it is under consideration now.
§ Mr. PETOWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind the importance of not depleting our rural labour?
§ 47. Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Prime Minister if the Department )f Overseas Trade is to take over the work of the Overseas Settlement Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt has been decided that the Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade should become Chairman of the Overseas Settlement Committee and be charged under the Secretary of State for the Colonies with the conduct of oversea settlement business. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies will remain a member of the Committee.
§ Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSCan the right hon. Gentleman state whether or not the Parliamentary Secretary would have power to reduce the Committee if he found the numbers too many?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHe would arrange that, I have no doubt, with my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.