§ 13. Lord APSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many assisted passages have been granted to 7 intending settlers in Australia since the beginning of the year; and how many applications have been refused?
§ Mr. AMERYThe number of persons who have been granted assisted passages to Australia up to 30th April is 11,600. No information is available with regard to the number of applications which have been refused.
§ 14. Lord APSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the approximate dates of sailing that are being promised to settlers accepted by Australia House now?
§ Mr. AMERYThe following are the sailing arrangements for the various classes of settlers:
Nominated persons and others: "Ballarat," 10th June; "Vedic," 11th June; "Moreton Bay," 15th June.
Farm workers for Victoria: Sailings beginning 3rd August.
Farm workers for Western Australia: Sailings from the middle of July.
§ Lord APSLEYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is in a position to state the reasons for this delay, especially with regard to sailings for Victoria?
§ Mr. AMERYI think it has something to do with the seasons when they are most wanted, but I am not quite certain.
§ 15. Lord APSLEYasked the Secretary of State, for Dominion Affairs the number of families and the number of individuals over and above those included in families who have applied for passages to Australia as settlers that have been accepted by Australia House and are now awaiting passages?
§ Mr. AMERYThe numbers are as follow:—1,271 single persons and 2,068 members of families. The number of families is not immediately available. Sailing arrangements have been made in all these cases.
§ Lord APSLEYIn view of the very great number of families and individuals who are on the waiting list at the present moment, will it not be possible for the Government to make special arrangements to charter a ship or shipping in order to dispose of these arrears in sailings?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Government are very anxious that all who have been accepted and wish to go should get away as quickly as possible, but I doubt whether it is possible to charter a special ship, as that would involve very great expense.
16. Sir H. BRITTAIasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many assisted passages have been granted to prospective settlers in South Africa and New Zealand, respectively, during the current year; and how many applications have been refused
§ Mr. AMERYThere is no scheme for granting assisted passages to persons desiring to proceed to the Union of South Africa. Thirty-one settlers sailed for Southern Rhodesia during the first quarter of the year for settlement under the Southern Rhodesia Land Settlement Scheme. 3,127 persons have been granted assisted passages to New Zealand during the current year. No actual figures are available as to the number of applications refused, but it is estimated that from 5 per cent. to 10 per cent. of the applicants who are prima facie suitable are rejected on medical grounds.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHow many are on the waiting list?
§ Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH- COOKEHow many have sailed to New Zealand?