§ 54. Mr. MORLEYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what effect the Bennett immigration regulations have had on emigration from this country to the Dominion of Canada?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)The total number of migrants from the United Kingdom to Canada during the period August, 1930, to January, 1931, inclusive, was 7,391, compared with 18,538 in the period August, 1929, to January, 1930.
§ Mr. MORLEYCan my right hon. Friend make recommendations to the Government of Canada on this matter?
§ Mr. THOMASThere can be no doubt that the difference in migration, not only to Canada but to other Dominions, considerably affects our unemployment figures to-day, but I could not make representations, and would not make representations, to our Dominions to ask them to take people from this country for whom they could not find employment; and, therefore, if they say, as they do, that they are unable to continue the old practice, it is not for me to ask them to take people, regardless of being able to provide for them, in order to affect our record.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDIs it not a fact that the decrease in migration to Canada is largely due to the attitude adopted by the Government?
§ Mr. THOMASPrior to the Imperial Conference, the Canadian Government and other Dominion Governments introduced restrictions, regardless of what my view may have been of those restrictions. I did not complain, and the answer is, as I have said, that they are unable to deal with new migrants; and I do not feel disposed to encourage people to go to the Dominions when there is no employment for them there.