§ 56. Mr. MORGAN JONESasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any further action is to be taken to assist distressed and unemployed British migrants in Australia to return to Britain?
The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)As I have already made clear on several occasions, I have every sympathy with migrants from this country who may be in difficulties in Australia, but I am afraid that it is not possible to provide or to assist in providng return passages in such cases.
§ Mr. JONESIs provision being made by the committee of the Government to alleviate the distress of these people who have gone there on the assurances given by people on that side or on this?
Mr. THOMASThe first complaint in this connection was that the Dominion Governments differentiated between native-born people and migrants in distress. I have made particular and anxious inquiries on that matter, and find that there is no justification for that statement. As far as relief is concerned, it is given, according to the scale in the Dominions themselves, fairly as between both classes of people. That, I think, is the hon. Member's point.
§ Mr. MAXTONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise a special responsibility on the part of the Government for migrants who were definitely sent out there as a part of the national policy here?
Mr. THOMASIt is not true that migrants were sent out to any Dominion as a definite part of the policy of any Government that I know of. It is quite true that facilities were given, and my hon. Friend may be interested to know that, bad as the conditions are now, there are still thousands of applicants to go to the Dominions; but I have taken the view that it is no good encouraging them to go, having regard to the economic position there. That is why I attach so much importance to some Imperial policy.
§ Mr. McENTEEIs it not a fact that the literature which was issued with the knowledge of the Government, and with their approval, induced people to go to the Colonies, and, consequently, that the Government cannot escape their responsibility in the matter?
Mr. THOMASIt is only true in so far as opportunities were offered with the conditions stated; and let us keep clearly in mind the fact that the history of our Dominions shows that our British people were prepared to take risks; but no one is going at the moment to pretend that the Mother Country must take on a responsibility the consequence of which no one can measure.
§ Mr. MAXTONSurely the right hon. Gentleman does not forget that this policy of migrating people to Australia was propounded in this House by a Government on those benches as a measure for dealing with the unemployment problem?
Mr. THOMASI do not forget, and I do not desire to forget, that I myself, as well as previous Ministers speaking for previous Governments, indicated migration as a contribution to our unemployment problem, but not a solution of it; but I am asked in this question whether the British Government will take the responsibility of financing migrants in Australia and other Dominions to come back here, and probably come back to an unemployment situation as bad as it is there. I am not going to take that responsibility.