§ Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what was the nature of the migration and colonisation scheme of the Government of Western Australia which has been recently terminated; how many British families and individuals have been established in Western Australia under that scheme during the last six years; and at what cost?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Western Australian Group Settlement Scheme is one for the settlement of families in groups on uncleared land suitable for dairying, in the South West of Western Australia. The settlement is carried on by co-operative effort on the part of the settlers, under expert supervision. The cost of the farms is repayable by the settlers over a period of 30 years. On 1st March, 1928, 1,842 group holdings were settled, the total population of the groups being 8,429. Included in this number were approximately 1,550 British families, comprising about 6,500 souls. The total cost of the group settlement scheme to the State of Western Australia, to 1st March, 1928, was £5,171,069. Approximately one-fifth of this cost will eventually fall upon His Majesty's 'Government in Great Britain. The scheme is still in operation, although no new settlers are being received, except for the purpose of filling vacancies on existing groups.