24. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that numbers of coloured people in the ports of this country are anxious to return to their homes in the Colonies; that it is only possible for them to do so providing funds for this purpose can be obtained; that the social organisations interested in this question are unable to provide adequate funds for the purpose; and whether he will consider approaching the shipping companies with a view to securing free passage back to the dependencies for a limited number of those who may wish to return to their homes?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECertain questions relating to the welfare of coloured people in this country are now under consideration. I am not sure that the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend is practicable, but, if any substantial number of these persons desire to return to their homes, the question of what steps can be taken to facilitate this will be considered.
Captain EVANSIs my right hon. Friend aware that this important question has been considered by His Majesty's Government for no less than three years; and in view of that fact, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend will receive a deputation from the social organisation which is particularly interested 854 in this problem and to which appeals are frequently made for financial assistance?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI understand that there is an inter-departmental committee of the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Home Office and the India Office now sitting and going into this very question. I am not at all sure that I can advance matters as it does not affect only the Colonial Office.
§ Mr. THORNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the coloured people of this country do as well as the coloured gentleman at Wembley last Monday?
25. Captain EVANSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties with which the coloured population in some of the ports of this country are confronted in obtaining passports or nationality certificates; and whether he proposes to take action with a view to mitigating these hardships?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI was not aware that coloured Colonial seamen in the ports of this country were now experiencing difficulty in obtaining nationality certificates, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars of specific cases in which difficulties have arisen I shall be pleased to make inquiries on the subject.
Captain EVANSIs my right hon. Friend aware that a number of cases have already been submitted to the Home Office and that the Home Office received a deputation on the matter before the Recess? In view of that fact, will my right hon. Friend be so kind as to request the committee to which he has referred to consider this point?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI would point out that the question of nationality certificates is not a matter for me, but for the Home Office. I have no doubt that they are already familiar with it, and the question should be addressed to them. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any examples of Colonial seamen, that is, British subjects or British protected persons, who, he knows, are experiencing difficulty, that would be a matter for me, and if he will give me particulars I might be able to deal with them.