HC Deb 11 April 1927 vol 205 cc17-9
27. Mr. L. THOMPSON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many undertakings have actually been commenced in Australia as a direct outcome of the 1925 Agreement under the Empire Settlement Act, 1922?

Mr. AMERY

Fifteen schemes have been approved as "agreed undertakings" under the Loan and Migration Agreement with the Commonwealth Government, as follow:

  • Victoria.—Three land settlement schemes.
  • Western Australia.—Ten schemes, comprising water supply, drainage, railway and farm schemes.
  • South Australia.—Two schemes of water conservation.
I understand that work has already commenced on most of these schemes.

Mr. THOMPSON

Can my right hon. Friend say what is the amount of the expenditure on these schemes?

Mr. AMERY

I am afraid I should have to have notice of that question, but I think it is over £3,000,000.

28. Mr. THOMPSON

also asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of requisitions issued per month for selected migrants to Australia, and covering a period over the last three months?

Mr. AMERY

The number of requisitions for selected migrants to Australia for the last three months is as follows:

  • Farm workers: January, 300:
  • February, 250; March, 250.
  • Boys: 135 per month.
  • Domestic servants: 270 per month.

29. Mr. THOMPSON further

asked if the group settlement scheme in West Australia has any further vacancies for suitable families; and, if not, whether an extension of the scheme is contemplated?

Mr. AMERY

Recruiting under the group settlement scheme in Western Australia has not yet been fully resumed. Families are, however, accepted from time to time on requisitions by the State Government, who are, I understand, contemplating an extension of the scheme.

Sir NEWTON MOORE

In view of the fact that it costs something like £2,000 to establish each settler on a Group Settlement, does it not follow that the numbers must necessarily be small, seeing that there is a limit to what a small State can afford to expend in this direction.

Mr. AMERY

I am not quite sure that that figure represents the cost to-day, but there is no doubt that settlement is an expensive matter.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Is not the right hon. Gentleman giving active consideration to the question of increasing the grant for Group Settlement in the case of Western Australia?

Mr. AMERY

The provisions under the 1925 agreement with the Commonwealth are more generous than the original provisions of the arrangement we made with Western Australia, and therefore we hope it may be possible for Western Australia to resume the group settlement scheme on the new basis.

30. Sir F. NELSON

asked the Secre-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many assisted selected migrants to Australia have left this country for each of the three months of this year?

Mr. AMERY

The number of assisted selected migrants who sailed for Australia during the past three months is as follows:

January 467
February 683
March 704
1,854

31. Sir F. NELSON

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will consider the desirability of arranging for a small number of migrants to the Dominions who have made good to pay a short visit to this country and lecture on their experiences?

Mr. AMERY

I find that an arrangement of this kind was tried by the Canadian Government before the War, but was not found sufficiently effective to warrant the administrative difficulties and cost involved. The object which my hon. Friend has in view would appear to be met by the existing publicity arrangements, which include lectures and addresses by oversea visitors, some of whom are successful migrants with practical knowledge of settlement conditions.