§ Major BIRCHALLasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the long delays, extending to five and six months, which occur after migrants have been accepted by the Australian authorities and before passages can be secured for them, and can he take any steps to remedy this serious drawback to migration?
AMERYI am aware that delays have recently occurred in arranging passages to Australia for accepted migrants, but. I understand that these are entirely due to the disorganisation in the steamship service caused by the shipping trouble in Australia last year.
Captain GUESTasked what is the nature of the representation of the Dominions on the Overseas Settlement Committee; whether all are represented arid what actual experience of life and conditions in the Dominions each representative possesses?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Overseas Settlement Committee does not include any representatives of the oversea Governments, but works in the closest co-operation with the migration authorities of all the Dominions.
Captain GUESTasked whether anybody analogous to the Overseas Settlement Committee exists in any of the Dominions; and, if not, whether such bodies could be formed?
§ Mr. AMERYNo bodies similar to the Oversea Settlement Committee at present exist in any of the Dominions, but the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia has recently announced its intention to appoint a Commonwealth Migration Commission which it is understood will be thoroughly representative in character to advise on matters relating to migration. His Majesty's Government cordially welcomes the appointment of this Commission, but the establishment of similar bodies in other Dominions is, of course, a matter for the oversea Governments concerned.
§ Sir J. PENNEFATHERasked how many training centres for British 1681W migrants there are in each of the Dominions, where they are situate, and the numbers in training in each; and whether the accommodation in each case is sufficient to prevent congestion?
§ Mr. AMERYGenerally speaking, the view held in the Dominions is that the establishment of special training centres overseas for British migrants is unnecessary, and that the migrant can best obtain the necessary experience by working for wages, under a private employer. The only actual training centres at present in operation overseas are for a limited number of boys. Arrangements are, however, made in connection with all land settlement schemes for the supervision of the settler in the initial stages of settlement by experienced officers of the oversea Government concerned, and there are also numerous agricultural schools and colleges and experimental farms in the Dominions where settlers, both men and women, who so desire can take short courses at a moderate charge in the various branches of agriculture and domestic science.
§ Major BIRCHALLasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will devise better methods for supplying full and reliable information to potential Dominion settlers?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Oversea Settlement Committee have recently given this matter their careful consideration, and steps are being taken to improve the arrangements for distributing information regarding oversea settlement.