§ Sir F. NELSONasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of assisted emigrants who left this country for the Dominions during 1927; and how many of this number were agricultural labourers?
§ Captain MARGESSONI have been asked to reply to this question. The total numbers of men, women and children assisted under the Empire Settlement Act in 1927 was 60,899. Approximately one-third of this number consisted of men and boys proceeding to 237W take up farm work. It is not possible to state what proportion of these were experienced agricultural labourers, but it is safe to say that the percentage of experienced agricultural labourers included amongst the men and boys did not exceed 10 per cent. of the whole number.