§ Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has received the Report of the Empire Settlement Delegation; whether he has considered it; and whether an opportunity will be given for its discussion?
§ Mr. LUNNI have not yet received the Report, but I understand from the delegates that it will reach me at an early date. In regard to the last part of the question, I am unable to promise that a special occasion for the discussion of the Report will arise, but the hon. Member will appreciate that any matters connected with oversea settlement could be raised when the Department's Vote is before the House.
§ Mr. PENNYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many persons in this country took advantage of the facilities for settlement, on the land in the Dominions during the year 1923; and; whether His Majesty's Government propose to encourage overseas settlement in every way?
§ Mr. LUNNThe total number of persons who were assisted to settle in the Oversea Dominions under the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act during 1923 was 37,310. It is the intention of His Majesty's Government to encourage oversea settlement, in so far as it is conducive to the advantage of the individual settler and also to the advantage of the Empire as a whole. In this connection I might add that the Oversea Settlement Committee are giving special consideration to the possibilities of family and group migration.
Mr. MILNEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has information indicating that certain of the men who went to Canada last autumn as harvest hands from Great Britain and were stranded were offered employment in 59W Canada and refused to take it; and, if so, has he any knowledge of the reasons for this refusal?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to give the approximate number of men from these islands who went to Canada as harvest hands from Great Britain who have since settled in the Dominion?
§ Mr. LUNNOnly a few of the 12,000 men who went to Canada in August for harvesting work, in response to advertisements issued by the Canadian shipping companies, failed to find employment. About 700 men who were found to be unfit for farm work were repatriated to this country. It is understood that a certain number of others, although offered work, refused to accept it, but I am not aware of their reasons for refusing. I understand that about 11,000 men remained in the Dominion.