HC Deb 22 February 1926 vol 192 cc20-2
60. Colonel DAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if, in view of the inadequacy of the grants made to settlers in New Zealand by the Imperial Government, any action is contemplated with a view to emigrants being afforded facilities that will allow of successful settlement?

Mr. AMERY

The only contribution made by the Imperial Government towards migration to New Zealand is in reduction of the cost of passages. The New Zealand Government has not been prepared to enter into any agreement with respect to schemes for settlement upon the land. The question of the maximum amount that could be made available for each person settled upon the land has, therefore, not arisen.

67. Mr. HURD

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will invite the attention of the Canadian Government to the fact that in the month of January 1,751 applications, affecting some 2,500 individuals, were not accepted for migration to Canada under the scheme of assisted passages, and ask for their fuller co-operation in the training for overseas land settlement of capable and willing young townsmen whose unemployment constitutes the most difficult part of the British population problem?

Mr. AMERY

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension in supposing that the applicants referred to have not been accepted for Canada. As I indicated in reply to the question which he put to me on the 15th February, these applications are still under consideration. In regard to the second part of the question, the Canadian Government is at present chiefly anxious to secure farm workers with experience. The question of providing some element of training for young townsmen willing to work on the land overseas is one which is engaging my attention.

64. Sir FREDRIC WISE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total emigration in 1925 and the numbers that went to the Dominions respectively?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

I have been asked to reply. The British subjects who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in the United Kingdom to take up permanent residence in places outside Europe, numbered 140,594 in 1925. The number recorded as intending to take up permanent residence in British North America was 38,662, in Australia 35,006, in New Zealand 11,730, and in British South Africa 7,004. Residence for a year or more is treated as permanent residence for the purpose of these returns.