§ 64. Mr. HASLAMasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can now give the number of persons rejected by the Canadian doctors as unfit for emigration to Canada from 1st January 994 to 30th April and the number of persons who, though requested to present themselves for medical examination, gave distance, inconvenience, or expense as a reason for their inability to attend; and whether he has any evidence that these examinations are hindering emigration?
Mr. AIVIERYThe number of persons rejected by the Canadian Government doctors between the 1st January and 30th Apr I was 1,740. There is no record of the numbers who gave distance, inconvenience or expense as a reason for their inability to attend. I am not prepared at present to express any opinion as to how far the new system is hindering the movement from this country, but I invite my hon. Friend's attention to the Report of the Immigration Committee of the Canadian House of Commons —a telegraphic summary of which appeared in the "Times" of the 8th June. That Report, whilst making certain recommendations for improving the new system and obviating inconveniences in remote districts, does not admit that the new system has reduced the volume of British immigration into Canada.
Mr. HAS.LAMIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister in the local Legislature of Ontario has complained that there is a reduction in immigration on this account?
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIn future could not the medical examinations be conducted by British doctors?
§ Mr. AMERYI am assured that there has been a great extension of the number of doctors available for service.
§ Mr. HASLAMIs my right hon. Friend aware that tae Canadian authorities send their own medical men to several countries to examine prospective emigrants.
Mr. AM ER YYes, Sir. I understand that there are a certain number of Canadian doctors working on the Continent to examine Continental emigrants.