HC Deb 05 July 1966 vol 731 cc44-5W
59. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how much was the total cost to public funds of the Oversea Migration Board during the period of its existence.

Mr. Bottomley

The cost of servicing the Board since it was appointed in 1953 was approximately £2,000. The cost of producing and publishing the Board's Reports as White Papers between 1959 and 1965 was £1,235. Figures showing the cost of the Board's Reports before 1959 are not available.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what was the cost to public funds of the Oversea Migration Board since 1962: what machinery exists for stimulating Commonwealth migration; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Bottomley

For the years 1962 to 1965 inclusive the cost of servicing the Board amounted to aproximately £500. The production and publication as a White Paper of the Board's Annual Statistical Reports cost £543; a total of £1,043. Annual statistics of emigration would of course have been published in similar form if the Board had not existed.

No British Government machinery exists for stimulating Commonwealth emigration; but the Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Governments maintain active migration departments in their High Commissions in London which are responsible for the recruitment of British migrants to those countries.