§ 89. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he has considered the communication sent to him by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, relating to United Kingdom emigrants to Canada; and if lie will make a statement on Government policy with regard to these emigrants.
§ Mr. AlportI have studied the hon. Member's letter and the Press articles about emigrants from the United Kingdom to Canada which have appeared in recent weeks here and in Canada. Some Press accounts of economic distress have given an inaccurate impression. What is striking is the success of the overwhelming majority of United Kingdom immigrants in Canada. They are made welcome and many of them possess qualities and skills which enable them to contribute to the development of the Canadian nation.
I understand that the general employment situation in Canada is improving. As I have previously indicated, if immigrants into Canada should unfortunately be out of work they are eligible for benefit under Canadian Social Security 177W schemes and are helped to find fresh employment by the Canadian authorities. In general, the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to encourage migration to Commonwealth countries overseas remains unchanged.