HC Deb 12 March 1929 vol 226 cc985-6
39. Sir JOHN MARRIOTT

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of families and individuals who have applied since January, 1928, for assisted passages to Canada and Australia; how many of these have been approved by the Dominion authorities; how many of them have actually sailed; and what obstacle, if any, there is to the immediate migration of the remainder?

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

During the 13 months ending 31st January, 1929, the number of applications from families for assisted passages to Canada is 6,583 and to Australia 4,634. The number of applications from individuals not included amongst the families is to Canada 28,466 and to Australia 21,417. The number of approvals and sailings during the same period is:

  1. (a) Approvals.—For Canada, 2,772 families and 18,718 individuals, and for Australia, 2,973 families and 10,444 individuals;
  2. (b) Sailings.—For Canada, 2,140 families and 15,381 individuals, and for Australia, 3,111 families and 10,909 individuals.
With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the remainder of the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Are we to understand that for every three applicants there is only one opportunity?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Oh no. In the case of Canada, there are 18,718 individuals out of 28,000 applicants. The proportion going to Australia is still more than half.

Mr. MACLEAN

Will the Under-Secretary inform the House whether Scotland is under the Dominions Office for allocating more people on the land?

Mr. TAYLOR

Do the Canadian figures include the special scheme for harvesters?

Mr. ORMSBY-GORE

Oh no. These, I understand, are entirely assisted passages under the Overseas Settlement Act.

Following is the remainder of answer:

The sailings to Australia exceed the approvals because the sailings within the period include persons approved before 1st January, 1928. In addition to the above, 3,930 persons have sailed to Canada and 34 to Australia, but pending the receipt of returns from the Shipping Companies, information is not available to show how many of these persons were members of families or single individuals. The obstacles which prevent the migration of those applicants who have not been approved or sailed are: (a) Lack of suitable openings overseas, (b) failure to satisfy the medical and other requirements of the Dominion Authorities.