28. Captain T. J. O'CONNORasked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of aliens who are at present drawing unemployment insurance relief; and whether he proposes to discontinue the practice of paying such relief to aliens?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDStatistics are not regularly compiled in respect of the number of aliens in receipt of unemployment benefit, but the results of a special analysis of claimants to benefit in November, 1924, indicate that of the 1,090,373 claimants at that date about 3,000 were aliens. I have no authority to refuse benefit to unemployed aliens who satisfy the conditions imposed by the Unemployment Insurance Acts.
Captain O'CONNORDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that in view of the congested state of the labour market it is time he refused to encourage the immigration of aliens into this country where they can come and live on the dole?