HC Deb 07 December 1950 vol 482 cc501-2
1. Mr. Russell

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the number of emigrants from the United Kingdom to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa in each of the years 1934 to 1938, 1946 to 1949, and to the latest available date in 1950.

The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. Gordon-Walker)

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Russell

Do not the figures show that, taking the post-war years as a whole, there has been far more emigration than before the war, and that any recent falling off in emigration to Canada cannot possibly be due to full employment?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman asked that certain figures should be published, and he must not make insinuations.

Following are the figures:

EMIGRANTS OF BRITISH NATIONALITY TRAVELLING DIRECT BY SEA FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH AFRICA

Year Country of Future Permanent Residence*
CANADA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA †
1934 2,167 4,572 1,191 3,392
1935 2,175 4,552 1,440 4,994
1936 2,281 4,096 1,462 5,010
1937 2,850 4,122 1,981 5,577
1938 3,367 5,472 2,425 6,003
1946 52,479 9,592 5,428 11,127
1947 22,960 13,012 5,918 26,142
1948 34,487 34,445 6,927 32,232
1949 20,762 53,059 9,261 15,283
1950 (Jan.-June) 7,307 28,620 5,468 4,917
NOTES:
* Residence for a year or more is treated as permanent residence for the purposes of this classification.
† Includes Union of South Africa, South-West Africa, Southern Rhodesia, and the High Commission Territories of Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland. Separate figures for the Union of South Africa are not available.