§ 62. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what measures are being taken, or are contemplated, by Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the recession does not unduly diminish United Kingdom emigration to Canada.
§ Mr. AlportThe regulation of immigration into Canada is entirely a matter for Her Majesty's Government in Canada. Migration from the United Kingdom to Canada during the first quarter of 1958 was running at about the same average rate as for the similar period in a normal year.
§ 63. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in view of the cut of one-third in the number of assisted passages from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, what measures are contemplated in his Department to aid British emigrants to that country.
§ Mr. AlportI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Surbiton (Mr. Fisher) on 26th June.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how much of the £1,500,000 authorised last year for purposes connected 43W with United Kingdom emigration to the Commonwealth overseas remains unspent; and the Government's proposals for its disbursement.
§ Mr. AlportExpenditure in the financial year 1957–58 was about £180,000, out of £184,575 voted by Parliament for expenditure under the Commonwealth and Empire Settlement Acts.
As I explained in the debate on the Second Reading of the Commonwealth Settlement Act, 1957, the figure of £1,500,000 is the financial limit for any one year prescribed by the Commonwealth and Empire Settlement Acts. Within this limit Parliament can be asked to provide funds for joining with other Commonwealth Governments or with public authorities or with public or private organisations in carrying out agreed schemes for affording joint assistance to migrants from this country. It is not a sum which is automatically available each year.