§ LORD ALTRINCHAMMy Lords, with the permission of the House I should like to ask the noble Viscount the Leader of the House a question of which I have given him private notice. It is to ask His Majesty's Government whether any arrangements have been made for assisted migration to Southern Rhodesia.
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONMy Lords, arrangements have recently been agreed with the Government of Southern Rhodesia whereby a limited number of suitable British men and women who have served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy of the United Kingdom during the recent war will, after a date which will be announced, be able to apply for free passages to Southern Rhodesia for themselves and their dependants, with a view to settlement in that country. The arrangements are generally similar to those agreed in the case of Australia, of which I informed your Lordships on the 5th March. The Ministry of Labour and National Service is the department responsible for administering the scheme in detail. Further particulars are available for applicants at the local offices and appointments offices of the Ministry and a booklet describing conditions in Southern Rhodesia will be available for persons interested. As soon as the shipping position makes it possible to open the scheme for applications, an announcement will be made.
§ LORD ALTRINCHAMMy Lords, in thanking the noble Viscount, I think I can assure him that there will be satisfaction in all quarters of the House at the announcement which he has made. On behalf of my noble friends, I should like to congratulate both His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in Southern Rhodesia upon this.