HC Deb 13 July 1937 vol 326 cc1084-5W
Mr. Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what number of emigrants from this country was admitted into each self-governing Dominion for the half-year ending at the latest convenient date; and the number of returning emigrants from the same during the like period?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The number of British subjects who were recorded in the passenger lists furnished to the Board of Trade as leaving permanent residence in the United Kingdom (by which is understood residence for a year or more) to take up permanent residence in the undermentioned Dominions in the six months ending 31st March, 1937, and the numbers of such persons who were recorded as leaving permanent residence in those countries to take up permanent residence in the United Kingdom in the same period are as follows:

Emigrants from the United Kingdom (British subjects only). Immigrants into the United Kingdom (British subjects only).
British North America (Canada and Newfoundland). 745 4,722
Australia 2,295 1,722
New Zealand 875 698
South Africa (Union, Southern Rhodesia, etc.). 2,671 1,582
Total 6 months … 6,586 8,724

Mr. Ammon

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has received from any of the Dominions definite proposals or schemes for the resumption of migration; and whether His Majesty's Government has formulated any such schemes?

Mr. M. MacDonald

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are ready at any time to co-operate with oversea Governments in suitable schemes under the Acts which would offer good prospects for migrants overseas. Discussions which I had with Dominion Ministers at the time of the Imperial Conference showed, however, that none of the Dominion Governments is ready at the present time to co-operate in schemes of assisted migration.