§ 35. Mr. LECKIEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the number of men and women who are being deported from the Dominions owing to the impossibility of finding them employment, and are thus becoming a, charge on the Poor Law in this country, he will consider some scheme for stopping the further flow of deportees back to this country by giving them tem- 1396 porary assistance to tide them over the next two months in the country where they are located?
Mr. THOMASI have carefully considered the hon. Member's suggestion, but I fear that it is not practicable to give effect to it.
§ Mr. PIKEWill the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that this question will be one for discussion at the Ottawa Conference?
Mr. THOMASNo. The implication in this question is that His Majesty's Government will hold themselves responsible to make contributions to migrants in distress, and I could not possibly accept such a responsibility.
§ Mr. MAXTONAre we to assume that at the Ottawa Conference there will be no discussion about the conditions of the poor people in various parts of the Empire, but that the Conference will deal only with trade interests?
§ Mr. MAXTONThe right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well what I mean. Does he think that discussions in this House about trade generally are concerned with the welfare of poor people—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the answer.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I repeat my question, which is a serious one? Am I to understand that at the Ottawa Conference there will be no discussion on the general social conditions of the people in various parts of the Empire?
Mr. THOMASOn the contrary, I hope that the discussions will be concerned with the general conditions of the people in different parts of the Empire. The general conditions of the people in all parts of the Empire are dependent on a sound trade policy.
§ Mr. MAXTONThat is the Tory way of looking at it. That is the difference between the right hon. Gentleman and myself.