HC Deb 04 July 1928 vol 219 cc1391-2W
Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been called to the high proportion of non-British persons in the total number of persons settled in Canada in 1927 under the auspices of the Canadian National Railways; and whether he will make representations to the authorities responsible for this class of immigration with a view to securing a greater inflow of British settlers?

Mr. AMERY

This matter is referred to in the recommendations of the Canadian Parliamentary Immigration Committee, which are under the consideration of the Dominion Government. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Report of this Committee.

Sir N. MOORE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the announcement made on 30th June by the Premier of Western Australia regarding the new scheme for the development of 8,000,000 acres of wheat and sheep land in the neighbourhood of Southern Cross, he is able to state what will be the respective obligations of the British, the Common wealth, and the Western Australian Governments; whether the area referred to has been classified; and, if so, what are the proportions of first, second, and third-class lands, how many British migrants would be provided for under the scheme, the approximate area of individual holdings, the average rainfall in the district embraced in the scheme, and the financial obligations that would be incurred by the prospective settler?

Mr. AMERY

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question on 25th June regarding this scheme. The preliminary negotiations with the Development and Migration Commission are still proceeding, but my latest information is to the effect that the scheme will not be put forward officially for about six months.