HL Deb 10 February 1971 vol 315 cc237-8WA
LORD BROCKWAY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the admitted racial discrimination by the Australian Government when granting assisted passages to emigrants from the United Kingdom, they will withhold the subsidy provided for this purpose until such time as the discrimination ceases.

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

The answer to the noble Lord's Question is No. The contribution made by Her Majesty's Government to the Australian Assisted Migration Scheme is the subject of the United Kingdom/Australia Assisted Passage Agreement which has a currency of five years. This was concluded under the powers vested in the then Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs on the last extension of the Commonwealth Settlements Acts 1922 to 1967 on the 10th of May, 1967. The extension was fully debated and warmly welcomed on both sides of your Lordships' House. A similar welcome was given to the extension of the Acts in another place. The Australian Government's administration of the Assisted Migration Scheme is no different now from what it then was.

House adjourned at twenty-eight minutes past seven o'clock.