§ 10. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is yet able to announce arrangements to include in figures of immigration and emigration movement by air as well as by sea.
§ Mr. J. RodgersNo, Sir. I regret that arrangements are not yet sufficiently settled to be announced. While I regret 220 the delay, we must ensure that the collection of the migration statistics is performed without unnecessary form-filling for travellers. This has inevitably taken some time.
§ Mr. DaviesWhile agreeing with the latter part of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, can he not explain further why it is so difficult to work out a system whereby these statistics can be compiled? Is he not aware that at present the statistics on immigration and emigration published by the Board of Trade are very much deficient and out of line with those issued by Commonwealth and Colonial Powers? Cannot some action be taken to speed up a decision? It is two or three years since action was promised.
§ Mr. RodgersI hope that we shall be able to make an announcement in the near future, but several other Departments have to be consulted.