HC Deb 06 May 1948 vol 450 cc1448-50
54. Mr. A. R. W. Low

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what he estimates would be the cost in dollars to the United Kingdom if the limit for the amount allowed to be taken by emigrants to Canada was raised to £5,000 or £3,000 whilst the limit for emigrants to other countries outside the Sterling Area was retained at £1,000.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps)

About £3 million and £1½ million for the rest of 1948, and considerably more in subsequent years.

Mr. Low

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman discussed this matter with the Provincial Governments in Canada and the Dominion Government, and, in particular, has he discussed with them whether it might be possible to save this amount of dollars in future?

Sir S. Cripps

The object of the change in the regulations is to save the amount of dollars.

Mr. Low

But in some other way?

55. Mr. Low

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange that emigrants to Canada whose applications to enter Canada had been accepted by the Canadian authorities prior to his reduction to £1,000 of the amount emigrants may take to Canada but who had not then applied to the Bank of England for permission to take the full £5,000, shall be entitled to take up to £5,000 in capital over the next four years on the old terms provided that they apply to the Bank of England in the immediate future.

Sir S. Cripps

No, Sir, but we are prepared to give the benefit of the old terms to emigrants who can show that prior to 9th April last they were financially committed, in the expectation of being able to transfer the amounts then permitted, irrespective of whether or no they have been accepted by the Canadian authorities. Those not so committed can, of course, still emigrate on the same conditions as apply generally to new applicants.

Mr. Erroll

Can this extension also be applied to those who are intending to emigrate to the United States of America?

Sir S. Cripps

This is a question with regard to those which have been permitted and not a general extension. If the hon. Gentleman will put that on the Order Paper, I will answer it.

Mr. Beverley Baxter

On the broad issue, is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that public opinion in Canada feels that the British Government, through the Chancellor of the Exchequer, is by this system diverting emigration to sterling areas in the Dominions rather than to a dollar area in Canada and that it is very deeply resented right across Canada?

Sir S. Cripps

I do not think it is deeply resented by those who understand that we have not got the dollars with which to pay this service in addition to buying the foodstuffs necessary from Canada.