§ Captain TERRELLasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the serious apprehension entertained by agriculturists that the Empire Settlement Act may lead to further rural depopulation, he will take steps to secure the accredited representation of organised agricultural interests on the Overseas Settlement Committee?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYI have been asked to reply. I am not aware that there is any evidence that the Empire Settlement Act is leading, or is likely to lead, to rural depopulation, and in these circumstances, I do not think there would be any advantage in adopting the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend. I may add that the Committee, which is in close touch with the Ministry of Agriculture, includes members who may be relied on to ensure that due consideration is given to agricultural interests in this country.
§ Captain TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that official Canadian statistics show that emigration from Canada during the past 50 years has represented 77 per cent. of the total immigration to the Dominion; and whether that fact will be borne in mind by the Overseas Settlement Committee when considering any schemes for further depopulation of the rural areas of Great Britain?
§ Lieut.-Colonel BUCKLEYI do not wish to traverse the statement contained in the first part of my hon. and gallant1216W Friend's question, though I believe that statistics relative to emigration from Canada have never been published by the Dominion Government. As regards the second part of the question, I think my hon. and gallant Friend has misapprehended the intention of the Empire Settlement Act. The basis of all schemes of migration is the mutual benefit to be derived by the migration of suitable persons.