§ Mr. SHORTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of families and individual emigrants who have been assisted to settle in the Colonies and British Dominions during 1927 and the total cost to the Exchequer?
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§ Mr. AMERYThe total number of families assisted under the Empire Settlement Act during the year ended 31st December, 1927, was 8,029, comprising 31,690 souls. The total number of individuals assisted was 63,027. The total expenditure upon oversee settlement during the year was £1,337,097 (of which £268,000 is recoverable). The cost of aftercare and settlement is spread over a period of years, and cannot be computed accurately in respect of the settlers who go out in any one year. In addition to the expenditure under the Empire Settlement Act, approximately £37,000 was expended by the Ministry of Labour on testing and training and on incidental expenses relating thereto, such as medical examinations and transportation charges.