Orders of the Day — Empire Settlement Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 25 January 1957.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Sir Archer Baldwin Sir Archer Baldwin , Leominster 12:00, 25 January 1957

I agree that there has been a rush within the last few weeks. I was under the impression that the right hon. Gentleman said that these people who were rushing to go abroad were not the best of our citizens but rather that they were—to use a phrase used some years ago—rats leaving a sinking ship. I do not agree with that.

If we can help it, we should not allow the loss of these young skilled people who when they go leave behind the elderly and the infirm. It is for that reason that I advocate an entirely fresh outlook on the part of this country towards emigration. There should be bilateral meetings with the intake countries so that arrangements may be made for them to receive a cross-section of our people, both old and young. I am glad to be able to reinforce the statement of the Under-Secretary of State. There is a very great difference now in the elderly people emigrating to Australia and New Zealand because they have the benefits, which have recently been reinforced, of pensions and a health service, and so on. It makes a great deal of difference to the outlook of those who go to these Commonwealth countries.