Cabinet Committee on Immigration considered today¹⁸ (inter alia) a paper from Mines and Resources on immigration to Canada from the United Kingdom.

2. Paper recites decrease in United Kingdom emigration to this country citing following causes:

      (a) Wartime backlog disposed of by December 1948.

      (b) Restrictions on export of capital.

      (c) Little publicity on Canada and intensive Australian campaign.

      (d) High cost transportation.

      (e) Cost of medical examination.

      (f) Housing shortage in Canada.

3. Paper made following recommendations for purpose of stimulating British immigration into this country:

(I) Continue efforts to ease relations covering export of capital and continue efforts to find some arrangement in Canada to facilitate financial establishment of immigrants.

(II) Open three additional immigration offices in British Isles; following sug­gested: York, Cardiff, Bristol, Inverness.

(III) Conduct a continuing publicity campaign by press advertising, newspaper articles on Canada, films and distribution literature through travel agencies.

(IV) Supply free X‑ray examination at all immigration offices in United Kingdom.

(V) Coordination Labour Department representatives in United Kingdom with Immigration Service.

4. Discussion was adjourned for your considered advice on recommendations stated in paragraph 3 above especially 3(V). Questions raised by 3(I) are, as you know, already under consideration. 3(II): Some doubt was expressed on wisdom of initiative on part of Canada to increase immigration at this time, when there are some indications that over next twelve months present high level of employment may decline. Keenleyside argued that if efforts were to be soft‑pedalled in times as good as these, the future for immigration into this country would be dark indeed. 3(111): Attention was directed to very high cost and questionable value press public­ity in United Kingdom in present circumstances. 3(IV) met with general approval.

3(V) reflects continuing policy differences between Labour and Immigration Ser­vices. Labour was not represented at meeting. Immigration, however, urged that separate Labour activities in United Kingdom were causing real difficulties. It was stated activities Labour Department, London Office, had resulted in only 38 immi­grants in first 8 months present year. Immigration argued that at very least two offices should be in same place and work coordinated.

5. You are requested to submit within next ten days, if possible, your views on all five recommendations. Matter somewhat urgent as Minister Mines and Resources wishes to have immigration policy for next twelve months delineated by time he has to present estimates.

¹⁸Le 28 octobre 1949/October 28, 1949.