§ 2. Major Wallasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of British subjects, of Maltese and Cypriot origin, who have migrated from Egypt to Australia during and since the Suez Canal dispute with Egypt.
§ Mr. AlportI have consulted the Australian authorities but understand that the information which my hon. and gallant Friend seeks is not available.
§ Major WallMay I ask if the Maltese who have been expelled from Egypt and are now in this country are able to take advantage of the existing assisted passage scheme from England to Australia?
§ Mr. AlportThat is a different question, but I can assure my hon. and gallant 1141 Friend that the Australian Government are being as helpful as they possibly can be in the circumstances.
§ 6. Mr. Liptonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many applications have been made in recent months for emigration from the United Kingdom to Commonwealth countries.
3. The Rev. LI. Williamsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many applications have been received for emigration to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, respectively, during November and December, 1956, and for the first twenty days in January, 1957; and how these figures compare with the figures for the corresponding periods in the previous five years.
§ Mr. AlportAs my reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. LiptonWill the hon. Gentleman say what the Government are going to do about the stampede to Canada and elsewhere? Is it not a poor tribute to living conditions in this country that 1957 will be a record year for emigration, with alarming effects on the pattern of our economy? Cannot all the facts be published so that we can analyse the alarming and dangerous implications of the situation?
§ Mr. AlportI cannot accept that there are any alarming or dangerous implications of this matter. The subject has been debated at some length over the last week, and the general conclusion of both sides of the House was that it was a very good thing for the Commonwealth that we should continue to play our part in providing the additional population which so many of those great countries require.
§ Following is the reply:
CANADA1142I understand from the High Commissioner for Canada that the numbers of applications received in November and December, 1956, were 16,000 and 15,600 respectively. The corresponding figures for 1955 were 4,150 and 3,300 respectively. Comparable figures for previous years are not available, nor is the figure for the first twenty days of January, 1957.
AUSTRALIAThe High Commissioner for Australia informs me that the following numbers of applications were received under the United Kingdom/ Australia Assisted Passage Scheme during the periods mentioned in the question:—
| — | November | December | January (First twenty days) | |
| 1951 | … | 2,375 | 1,636 | Not available |
| 1952 | … | 758 | 365 | |
| 1953 | … | 1,702 | 1,178 | 461 |
| 1954 | … | 1,364 | 1,007 | 1,650 |
| 1955 | … | 1,598 | 1,366 | 1,198 |
| 1956 | … | 1,508 | 2,520 | 1,477 |
| 1957 | … | — | — | 2,483 |
§ Similar figures are not available for emigrants paying their own fares.
NEW ZEALANDThe High Commissioner for New Zealand has provided the following figures of applications under the New Zealand Free Passage Scheme during November and December, 1952–56. No figures are available for the first twenty days of January, 1957.
| — | November | December | ||
| 1952 | … | … | 634 | 525 |
| 1953 | … | … | 692 | 749 |
| 1954 | … | … | 1,256 | 972 |
| 1955 | … | … | 938 | 709 |
| 1956 | … | … | 746 | 733 |
§ Similar figures are not available for migrants paying their own fares.