§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if, having regard to the terms of reference of the Overseas Migration Board, they have under consideration any new or definite recommendations of any character to assist migration.]
1013THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)My Lords, it is the view of Her Majesty's Government that the formulation of plans for maintaining the flow of migrants from the United Kingdom to other Commonwealth countries is primarily a matter for the receiving Governments, and in those plans Her Majesty's Government are very glad to collaborate. The Sixth Report of the Oversea Migration Board, which was presented to Parliament last week, contains suggestions for assisting emigration. This Report is in the hands of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Duke for his reply, may I ask him whether he would consider causing to be published figures which would show the approximate average cost of settling one person in a new town in the United Kingdom, compared with the cost of moving under assisted passage one new migrant to the Dominions? Further, in view of the earlier statement by the present Foreign Secretary when head of the Commonwealth Relations Office that any worthwhile schemes would receive consideration, can he now state whether a scheme for housing advances to intending migrants is under consideration? I would add that the Report of the Oversea Migration Board to which the noble Duke referred, seems to have concerned itself more with immigration than with emigration, which seems to be outside the scope of their activities.
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I will certainly bring my noble friend's remarks about comparable costs to the notice of my colleagues, though I can give no undertaking that those figures will be published. With regard to the second part of my noble friend's question, I could not agree with him that there is more to do with immigration than with emigration in the Sixth Report of the Oversea Migration Board published last week. Furthermore, while no distinct scheme has been put forward in the Oversea Migration Board's Report, it does contain definite suggestions which might aid emigration to different parts of the Commonwealth.
§ EARL WINTERTONMy Lords, in view of the fact that there is some confusion in the public mind about provisions both for emigration. and for immigration, would my noble friend consider —I do not ask for a definite reply now—approaching his Minister and asking whether it would be a good thing to have a talk on television or a broadcast to explain the situation to the public?
THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, I will certainly bring my noble friend's suggestion to the attention of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for his consideration.
§ EARL WINTERTONI thank the noble Duke.