§ 33. Sir JOHN WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the immigration from foreign countries into British Dominions, particularly Canada, the Government, in consultation and combination with the Dominion authorities concerned, will set up a board, representing the British and Dominion. Governments, and also the various charitable and other organisations concerned with emigration, to formulate plans for promoting the flow of British migrants overseas, and to consider and make recommendations as to the changes necessary to secure a workable scheme, satisfactory to Dominion interests and enabling the original objects of the Overseas Settlement Act to be fully carried out?
Mr. J. H. THOMASAs regards the general question of migration within the Empire, I would refer my hon. Friend to the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Migration Policy (Cmd. 4689) which was published in August last. This report has been communicated to the other Governments concerned, with a request for their views, and replies have already been received from New Zealand, Queensland and South Australia. I hope that opportunity for, at any rate, a preliminary discussion of the general question with oversea Ministers may arise in the near future. As regards the particular machinery to be adopted for examining and considering methods of promoting migration, I am not in a position to express any view at the present moment, except that the closest co-operation between the Government here and the Governments in the Dominions will clearly be essential.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEIn view of the fact that a good deal of time is passing which might be used in a valuable way, is it not desirable that the Government should suggest a date for a general meeting to consider the whole matter and bring the charitable organisations concerned into it?
Mr. THOMASI have already arranged that the report shall be submitted to all the Governments and charitable organisations concerned, and I think it would be better to avail ourselves of the opportunity for a personal discussion with responsible Ministers here rather than leave it to correspondence.
§ Mr. LUNNIs it a fact that no reply has been received from Canada or the Federal Government of Australia?
Mr. THOMASI have already indicated that replies have been received from New Zealand, Queensland and South Australia.
§ Brigadier-General NATIONAre the replies favourable to the Government's proposals or against them?
Mr. THOMASThere are no Government proposals, and nothing would be resented more by the Dominions than Government proposals. An independent committee was set up, and their recommendations were submitted to the Dominion Governments whose observations were invited. I think that the presence of the Dominion Ministers in London will give us an opportunity of discussing the whole situation. It is only fair to say that I have never taken the view that we should desire to encourage migration until the Dominions are ready to receive the migrants and provide chances for them.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESMay we take it that no final commitments will be made by the Government on migration policy before the House has had an opportunity of discussing the subject?
Mr. THOMASThe commitments of the Government mean the commitments of other Governments, and the hon. Member may take it that the House will have an opportunity of discussing the matter.