§ 5. Mr. McSHANEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of complaints received during the past year as to youths who have emigrated to Canada under the auspices of the British Immigration and Colonisation Association being left without any resources; and whether he will take steps to warn all prospective emigrants thereto of the hardships to be expected?
Mr. THOMASThirty-two specific complaints have been received by the Oversea Settlement Department during the past 12 months from or on behalf of boys who have migrated to Canada under the auspices of this association. The association has now come to an end, and its responsibilities were taken over in January last by the Dominion Government. No boys are being assisted to go to Canada at present. As regards the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. Friend that the Oversea Settlement Department always endeavour to give intending migrants the fullest possible information as to conditions obtaining overseas.
§ Mr. McSHANEWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his kindness in individual cases, may I ask him whether, as regards men who were sent out under the Ministry of Labour training scheme and who now may be stranded, he will not give specific help to cases of that kind in these circumstances?
Mr. THOMASI can only say that I have done my best to help in any cases which have been brought to my notice, but that must not be taken as in any sense committing the Government to any responsibility. In fact, I think I can go so far as to say that no Government in this country could accept that responsibility.
§ Mr. McSHANEWill my right hon. Friend at any rate give us a guarantee that lying documents like this one which I have here, as to Canada being the land of golden opportunities, shall not be circulated among our young men in conditions such as exist to-day?
Mr. THOMASI hope that my hon. Friend will not condemn Canada or any other Dominion——[Interruption.]
§ Mr. McSHANEI am not condemning Canada.
Mr. THOMASLet us be quite fair. While we hear very often of failures, and much publicity is given to failures, let us remember the millions that have left this country. I know there are hardships and injustices, which I will try to remedy, but do not let us lose our sense of proportion.
§ 7. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any figures are available, as at the latest convenient date, showing the number of persons who, having been assisted by Empire settlement schemes or other means to emigrate in the past three years to the Oversea Dominions, have returned to this country?
Mr. THOMASThe total number of British migrants proceeding to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the three years ending 31st December, 1930, was 238,025, of whom 148,815 were assisted under various schemes. The total number of British subjects entering this country from those Dominions in the same period with the intention of residing here permanently was 98,242. It is not possible to state how many of these were returning migrants who had been assisted to go overseas.
§ Mr. HANNONAs my right hon. Friend's answer raises a point of very great importance, may I ask whether he does not think that a reciprocal trade arrangement with our Dominions would mean a great deal to the development of this scheme, as against the failures of the past?
Mr. THOMASI think I am correct in saying that an examination of the figures for, say, the last 10 years, would show that on the average approximately 200,000 have left these shores for the Dominions. For the first time, the balance is going the other way. That is not because they are not welcome, but the economic position in our Dominions is such that they have their responsibility. In other words, it is no use assuming that we can judge the future of this migration problem from the present abnormal situation. I do not think it would be fair.
§ Mr. ANNESLEY SOMERVILLECan the right hon. Gentleman say if the £10 passage scheme to Canada is still in existence; and, if so, whether any migrants have recently gone out under that scheme?
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs the scheme in existence?
Mr. THOMASI think it is in existence; I am not quite sure. All that I know is that, naturally, it is not being very freely availed of, but I think I am correct in saying that it is in existence.
§ Mr. McSHANEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware——
§ Mr. SPEAKER rose——
§ Mr. McSHANEI was going to refer to an urgent cablegram which I have received from Australia concerning migrants.