HC Deb 18 June 1930 vol 240 c407W
Mr. MacLAREN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can give a statement showing the results of the Empire Settlement Act; what amount of money has been expended, respectively, by the British Government and the several Colonies on this emigration; how many emigrants have left British shores under the Act; and how many have been permanently settled in the Dominions or Colonies as independent landholders and as industrial or land workers, respectively?

Mr. LUNN

The total expenditure by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom under the Empire Settlement Act to 31st March, 1930, was £5,860,644. Detailed information is not available as to the amount of the expenditure incurred by His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, but my hon. Friend will be aware that under the terms of the Act, any expenditure by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom must be incurred in respect of agreed schemes and must be at least equated by the other party to those schemes. The number of intending settlers who left these shores under the Act to 31st March, 1930, was 374,630, comprising 125,176 men, 105,779 women, 53,591 male juveniles and 18,705 female juveniles between the ages of 12 and 18 years, and 71,379 children under 12 years of age. 7,940 settlers proceeded under land settlement schemes and were placed direct on farms as independent landholders. 174,390 proceeded to take up work as wage-earners either on the land or in industry. The balance of 192,300 was composed of wives and children under working age.