OVERSEA SETTLEMENT BOARD

HC Deb 06 July 1937 vol 326 cc163-5

27. Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many further meetings of the Oversea Settlement Board have been held since the 14 meetings reported in Cmd. 5314, of November, 1936; what progress has been made with the examination of the problem of a resumption of oversea settlement; whether any and, if so, which members of the Board will visit any and, if so, which of the Dominions this year; and whether he is satisfied that the Oversea Settlement Board, as at present constituted, has the necessary experience and time to fulfil its responsibilities satisfactorily, having in view the importance of Empire migration and settlement overseas?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The Oversea Settlement Board have since 27th July, 1936, the date of the report referred to by the hon. Member, held 20 meetings. In the course of those meetings they have had the advantage of informal discussions with a considerable number of Ministers from the Dominions overseas, and of hearing evidence from officials and others on certain special aspects of migration and population problems. They have also considered and made recommendations on a number of detailed questions which have been referred to them. The Board have been able, as a result of the comprehensive survey of the question of oversea settlement which they have ma de since their appointment, to furnish me with most valuable information and advice, and I am entirely satisfied with the manner in which they are fulfilling the functions with which they have been entrusted. No arrangements have as yet been made for visits by members of the Board to any of the Dominions during the present year.

Mr. Ammon

Is it the intention of the Minister to communicate to this House the result of those investigations?

Mr. MacDonald

The Board did present an interim report to me, which was published and laid on the Table of this House. When their consideration has reached a stage when any further report can be made on the question as a whole, I will, of course, consider the question of communicating that report to the House.

Mr. Lunn

Can the right hon. Gentleman state categorically whether any Government in the British Empire is prepared to welcome any scheme for migration to the Dominions?

Mr. MacDonald

That is a very wide question, and I should have to consider it carefully before giving the right hon. Gentleman an answer.

Mr. Lunn

Really, the right hon. Gentleman knows very well. [HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] He might tell us. He knows.