HC Deb 21 February 1917 vol 90 cc1352-3W
Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Report of the Royal Dominions Commission has been received; if so, will he say when it will be presented to Parliament; can he also inform the House whether the Government propose to give a day for the discussion of the Report; and, if so, will the day be given before the assembling of the Imperial War Conference?

Mr. LONG

The Report is about to be submitted to His Majesty, and will be laid before Parliament. As regards the remainder of my hon. Friend's question, I must refer him to the Leader of the House.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Dominions Royal Commission has taken important evidence in different parts of the Empire on the question of migration; is it his intention to limit the recommendations of the Committee just set up for the purpose of dealing with the emigration of ex-soldiers to the steps which should be taken by the Home Government in concert with the Governments of the States and Dominions for the constitution of a central authority to supervise and assist such emigration; and will he, when the Report of the Dominions Royal Commission on migration generally is presented to Parliament, consider the advisability of extending the scope of the reference of the Soldiers' Settlement Committee so as to include the constitution of a central authority to supervise and assist the emigration of women and children as well as that of lads and male adults not coming within the category of ex-sailors and ex-soldiers?

Mr. LONG

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The immediate object in setting up the Committee is as stated by my hon. Friend, and the wider question to which he refers will have due consideration at a later stage.