HC Deb 26 January 1956 vol 548 cc337-8
2. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many persons emigrated from the United Kingdom to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, respectively, in the years 1953, 1954 and 1955.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Commander Allan Noble)

As the reply contains a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Johnson

May I ask my hon. and gallant Friend whether the figures generally show an increase or a decrease?

Commander Noble

When my hon. Friend studies the figures, I do not think that he will find them at all unsatisfactory.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will the figures include figures of such emigrants who transferred from one Colony or Dominion to another; those who settled and those who returned to this country? Is the Minister aware that the first set of figures would be useless without the second set?

Commander Noble

The figures that I shall circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT cover emigrants who left this country by sea. Should the hon. and learned Gentleman desire any other figures, I will, of course, try to supply them.

Following are the figures:

MIGRANTS OF COMMONWEALTH CITIZENSHIP TRAVELLING DIRECT BY SEA FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND SOUTH AFRICA
— Canada Australia New Zealand South Africa
1953 41,300 30,200 14,500 6,500
1954 38,600 34,500 10,400 5,900
1955 (Jan.-Sept.) 21,600 28,200 7,300 3,600