§ 50. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the latest figures, according to the official Canadian Returns, of migrants from Great Britain to Canada and migrants from other European countries during the same period; the approximate cost paid by Dominion organisations; the cost borne by the Treasury for the assistance of these British migrants and whether the 1278 Overseas Settlement Committee are considering any further steps for the purpose of improving British migration to Canada?
Mr. THOMASThe reply is a somewhat long one, and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Mr. THOMASIt is not a question of concessions. It is no good making concessions when already there are a large number of unemployed in Canada. The Government's policy is that it is no use assisting people unless they have a reasonable guarantee of work when they get there.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The official Canadian returns show that the total immigration into Canada during the year ended 31st March last was 163,288: of these 64,082 came from Great Britain and Ireland, 30,727 from the United States of America, and 68,479 from other countries. The total expenditure incurred by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on schemes of assisted or reduced passages to Canada arranged with His Majesty's Government in Canada or with other parties during the period in question was £335,605. Detailed information is not available as to total expenditure by His Majesty's Government in Canada on assisted passages during the same period, but it was not less than £111,970, which was the amount expended by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom under the assisted passage scheme arranged with the Dominion Government. With regard to the last part of my hon. Friend's question, it is contemplated that the subject of oversea, settlement should be fully discussed at the forthcoming Imperial Conference.