§ 39. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the improving conditions overseas warranting attention being focussed upon the need of a redistribution of the British people within the Empire, he will approach the Prime Ministers of His Majesty's Dominions with a view to having the question of migration reopened and for the purposes of considering the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee's Report (1932), advocating Imperial co-operation and the creation of inter-governmental machinery for the purpose of promoting Empire settlement and development; and if he will be prepared to further any plan submitted with the concurrence of the Dominion Governments in order that no time may be lost in putting approved migration schemes into operation at the first possible moment?
Mr. J. H. THOMASThe position of the Government was fully explained by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in the course of a Debate on the 28th February last on a Motion by the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Levy). I am not at present in a position to add anything to that statement.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman regards the solution of the problem as economically and politically vital, and will it be discussed at the next Imperial Conference?
Mr. THOMASI not only consider it important and vital, but I am certain that no scheme of migration can be 24 successful until the economic conditions in the Dominions improve on what they are at the moment.