§ Mr. Sharpasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is the approximate number of assisted passages to Australia for which he estimates expenditure of £113,000 during 1947–48; and what was the corresponding number during 1946–47.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe estimate referred to was based on an assumed number of passages to Australia during 1947–48 for 3,500 persons. The corresponding figure for 1946–47, taken as an assumed basis, was 400. No assisted passages to Australia were in fact granted in 1946–47 under the Vote in question and it is not possible at present to forecast the actual number which will be available in 1947–48. Passages provided under the Free Passage Scheme for ex-Service men and women are not found under this Vote but fall on the Ministry of Labour Vote.