HC Deb 11 July 1927 vol 208 cc1724-5
18. Mr. STEPHEN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what were the figures of emigrants from Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Dominions for the year ending 31st March, 1927, showing the Dominions in the order of the number of emigrants, and giving in each case the total cost, and the corresponding figures for Scotland and the proportion of the expense met from British funds and from the Dominions respectively?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)

As the reply contains a number of figures in tabulated form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Will these figures show the gross emigration?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

I am not sure.

Following is the reply:

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the cost of passages. The following statement gives the number of migrants from the United Kingdom who received assistance under the Empire Settlement Act towards the cost of proceeding to their destination in the Dominions during the year ended 31st March, 1927, and the expenditure incurred by the respective Governments, so far as can at present be ascertained. No separate records are available as regards migrants from Scotland.

is borne by private organisations. Expenditure by the Australian and New Zealand Governments on rail fares of migrants from the port of arrival to destination is not definitely known and is only approximate.

In the case of Canada part of the expenditure from British funds is equated by the Dominion Government's expenditure on reception and settlement.

16. Sir R. THOMAS

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view or the shortage of women in various parts of the Empire, he will institute inquiries in order to ascertain in what parts they are most required, what occupations are open to them, and what safeguards exist for their protection, both on the journey out and after arrival; and whether he will publish the information in easily accessible form?

Mr. AMERY

Information upon all these points is contained in handbooks published free of charge by the Oversea Settlement Committee which have a wide circulation. With the hon. Member's permission, I will cause copies of these publications to be forwarded to him.