§ 25. Mr. TAYLORasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now give an estimate of the total cost 20 likely to fall on the British Exchequer in connection with last year's special scheme for British harvesters sent to Canada; if he can state how many of these men have now returned to Great. Britain; how many of them received loans to assist them to return home; what was the total sum advanced for return railway fares, steamship passages and food and what sum has been repaid to date on account of these loans?
§ Mr. AMERYThe number of men reported to have been returned up to the 19th January is 6,414, and of these 4,311 received loans to assist them to return home. These figures are substantially lower than those announced on information then available in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on the 19th December. The total cost of the scheme is likely to be about £170,000, of which it is estimated that about £110,000 represents loans to the harvesters for railway fares, steamship passages, etc. Of this amount £370 had been repaid on the 31st December last, and the ultimate cost to the Exchequer depends upon the extent to which the loans are repaid.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect that the men who have returned to this country will be able to repay their loans?
§ Mr. AMERYIt is difficult to say. In many cases, they are men from the distressed areas and are themselves out of employment. In their cases, it will not always be possible for them to make repayment.
§ Mr. TAYLORWould it not have been better to give these men £15 apiece?