asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the migration statistics before the War averaged some 200,000 a year and that at that time no financial assistance was given by the State; that since the War the average has fallen to 150,000, although during the greater part of the period between 1919 and 1925 substantial financial assistance has been given by the State; can he explain why the migration statistics should have gone down instead of going up, as was the case after the Boer War; and what steps the Government are taking to ensure a larger flow of migrants between this country and the Dominions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Annual Report of the Oversea Settlement Committee for 1924 (Cmd. 2383), in which this question is fully discussed. That report also indicates the action which is being taken by His Majesty's Government and the Dominion Governments in this matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is extremely inconvenient at question time to be referred to a long report of this kind; and can he not give me some sort of summary of the statement, and not burke it-altogether?

The last thing I desire to do is to burke this very important matter, but a statement of the causes which have prevented a satisfactory flow of migration would necessarily mean a very long statement and, as the facts are succinctly contained in this document, I thought it would meet the hon. Gentleman's convenience.

I do not think it does.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if there is any improvement in the flow of migration?

No, sir, I should not say that there is any very marked change.

Is it not the case that the fact of men having fought for the country makes them less inclined to emigrate from the country?

The hon. Member is putting his own opinion.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to give all the Government assistance he can to the "big brother" movement in Australia?

Certainly I am most anxious to support any movement of that kind which will give our migrants a better chance on their arrival.