HC Deb 13 June 1940 vol 361 cc1403-4W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any arrangements are being made with the Governments of the several Dominions in order that special steps may be taken to encourage the migration of persons, and especially widows with children, of British subjects killed on active service, as well as suitable persons now refugees in this country, in order that the flow of migration, notably for such schemes as that of the Fair bridge Farm Colony, may not be unduly interfered with?

Mr. Shakespeare

As regards schemes for the transfer of persons oversea in view of the present emergency, I would refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) and the hon. and learned Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson). So far as migration is concerned, the hon. Member is no doubt aware that schemes of assisted migration in general have been suspended since the outbreak of war, and the occasion is not regarded as suitable for reviewing this decision. I am glad to say, however, that the Fairbridge Farm Schools Society are authorised to continue to transfer certain selected children to their schools in Canada and Australia, and an application from the Society to continue this movement when the quota of selected children has been exhausted is now receiving consideration.