HC Deb 13 March 1952 vol 497 cc1563-4
26. Mr. Sparks

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of British emigrants each year for the past five years and the countries to which they have emigrated.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

As the answer contains a large number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Sparks

Will the Minister say whether it is now the policy of the Government to encourage the maximum emigration of skilled workers from this country to the Colonies and the Dominions?

BRITISH EMIGRANTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE YEARS 1947–1951
(Travelling direct by sea to countries outside Europe and the Mediterranean area)
Countries of future permanent residence 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951
Total all countries … 121,643 157,290 144,503 130,238 150,774
Commonwealth countries … 98,000 133,315 124,817 112,934 132,988
West Africa … — — 5,675 3,503 2,693
South Africa … 26,142 27,726 11,367 6,537 6,975
Southern Rhodesia … 4,506 3,916 2,783 4,241
East Africa … — — 4,124 3,866 4,186
India and Pakistan … 10,370 4,000 4,780 4,726 5,268
Malaya … — — 5,242 5,547 7,306
Australia … 13,012 34,445 53,059 54,184 56,724
New Zealand … 5,918 6,927 9,261 10,562 9,719
Canada … 22,960 34,487 20,762 13,434 27,544
British West Indies and Bermuda … — — 2,418 1,518 1,642
Other Commonwealth countries … 19,598 21,224 4,213 6,274 6,690
Foreign countries … 23,643 23,975 19,686 17,304 17,786
United States of America … 18,555 19,600 16,237 11,400 12,565
Central and South America … 5,088 4,375 1,221 1,187 1,174
Other Foreign countries … 2,228 4,717 4,047
Notes:—
1. The figures relate to persons who have expressed the intention of taking up residence in the country for which they have embarked for a period of one year or more.
2. For 1947 and 1948, West Africa, East Africa, Malaya, British West Indies and Bermuda are included under "Other Commonwealth countries".
3. Ceylon is included under India and Pakistan for 1947 and under "Other Commonwealth countries" for the other years.
4. Burma is included under "Other Commonwealth countries" for 1947 and under "Other Foreign countries" for the other years.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the figures show a general upward trend?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Yes, there is an increase. There is a large variety of countries, and it is not easy to summarise them in a short answer.

Following is the answer:

The numbers of British emigrants travelling direct by sea from the United Kingdom to places outside Europe and the Mediterranean area in the last five years were as follows:

Year Number
1947 … … … … 121,643
1948 … … … … 157,290
1949 … … … … 144,503
1950 … … … … 130,238
1951 … … … … 150,774

The following table gives such details as are available of the destinations of these emigrants: