HC Deb 20 April 1948 vol 449 cc122-3W
61. Mr. Teeling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were allowed to take money to Canada as emigrants from the United Kingdom during 1947; what was the total sum involved; how many had applied for the maximum sum of £5,000; and what was the estimated drain on this country for 1948 before the decision to cut the sum allowed out, was announced.

Sir S. Cripps

The total number of approved applications for Canada by individuals or families during 1947 was 15,600. The total cost in foreign exchange during the year was £5.5 million. This total does not relate precisely to the number of applications received, since it includes the annual instalments of those emigrants who left in previous years. The figure of applicants who applied for the transfer of the full £5,000 is not readily available, but 10 per cent. of all new applications received in the first 10 months of 1947 were for the maximum amount. The total expenditure during the first quarter of 1948 was £2.3 million, and the total cost for the year, if the restrictions had not been imposed, might have been of the order of £10 million.