§ 11. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the steps taken by the Government and the Dominion Governments, as outlined in the Annual Report of the Overseas Settlement Committee for 1924, have failed to bring the flow of migrants from this country to the Dominions up to pre-War figures, what, if any, further steps the Government propose to take to extend the dimensions of Empire migration: can he explain how it happens that, whereas before the War the average number of migrants per year was 200,000 and this without any financial assistance from the Imperial Government, the average has now fallen to 150,000; and what sum of public money has been expended on Empire migration since financial assistance was sanctioned by Parliament?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORESince the 8th August, 1919, when the Government free passage scheme for ex-service men was announced, the total expenditure on State-aided migration to the 31st March last was £3,347,000, of which £327,000 is loan money, and recoverable. In spite of this expenditure, and of corresponding expenditure on the part of Dominion Governments, the economic conditions in the various Dominions have not been such as to create a large volume of migration. A general discussion of all the factors influencing the situation is not possible in an answer to an oral question, and I can only refer my hon. Friend again to 864 my reply of 8th July. I need not add that the Government here are most anxious to co-operate with the Governments of the Dominions in every way, in order to secure a better and healthier distribution of the population of the Empire.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not a fact that, so far as Australia is concerned, the policies of the present Governments of the States are the main cause of the failure?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI would not say it like that. To throw the whole blame for the difficulties which, apart altogether from any policy, are uncontrollable by the Governments, on to the State Governments of Australia, is. I think, rather unfair.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHas the hon. Gentleman not seen the statement made in the Press only on Saturday with regard to the immigration policies of the Government of the States?
§ Commander O. LOCKER-LAMPSONMay I ask when we shall have an opportunity to discuss this?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI understand the salary of my right hon. Friend is to be asked for some day next week in Committee of Supply, and the subject will then be in order.