§ 51. Mr. Beechmanasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will consult with the appropriate 1958 Dominion and Empire authorities with a view to opening up farming careers to qualified smallholders and other agricultural workers in this country who wish to take up farming overseas.
§ The Prime MinisterA statement of United Kingdom policy in the matter of postwar migration is contained in the White Paper (Command 6658), issued in June, 1945. There is no indication that Dominion Governments desire to encourage immigration for agricultural, as opposed to industrial, occupation.
§ Mr. BeechmanWould the Prime Minister bear in mind that the new smallholding proposals for this country which have been generally approved can assist only a small number, and that a wider Commonwealth policy may well prove desirable, if only to encourage people to take up agriculture?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is a point worth considering.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIn view of the considerable number of persons who wish to emigrate, is it not time that the Government revised their emigration policy of July, 1945, and made a further statement to the House?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think so yet.