§ 26. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement by the Royal Commission in Palestine that immigration increased economic absorbtive capacity; and whether this view is confirmed by his experience as regards colonies generally?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI presume that the right hon. Gentleman is referring to paragraph 76 of Chapter X of the Royal Commission's report. It is clear from the wording of the paragraph that the Commissioners' remarks had reference to the special conditions governing Jewish immigration into Palestine. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDoes the right hon. Gentleman disagree with the statement of the Royal Commission that the more immigrants who enter into a country the greater the prosperity?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreYes, I disagree. It is entirely a question of the amount of work available and the amount of capital. The return of the West Indian labourers from Cuba to Jamaica has not increased the economic absorptive capacity and output of Jamaica.
§ Colonel WedgwoodDoes the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that an emigrant makes as much work as he takes?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNot necessarily.