§ Mr. RHYSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the provisions of the Empire Settlement Act of 1922 are available for the purpose of assisting Irish ex-service men, by way of free or assisted passages or otherwise, to settle in the overseas Dominions; and, if not, whether, in view of the fact that large numbers of these men are anxious to settle overseas if the State assists them, provision will be made immediately to render them effective aid?
Mr. THOMASThe reply to the first part of the question, in so far as it relates to ex-service men resident in Northern Ireland, is in the affirmative; as regards those resident in the Irish Free State, in the negative. In reply to the latter part of the question, it is not possible for His2422W Majesty's Government to offer assistance of the kind contemplated to persons under the jurisdiction of the Government of a Dominion.