asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will set up machinery whereby the volume of emigration from the Saorstát to Great Britain and other Commonwealth nations can be ascertained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Saorstát Emigration.
Statistics are available showing the numbers of emigrants to Commonwealth countries other than Great Britain. There are very considerable difficulties in the way of obtaining corresponding particulars of emigration to Great Britain on account of the large volume of regular passenger movement between the two countries.
While it is possible under the Statistics Act, 1926, to make an Order requiring every person entering or leaving the Saorstát to fill up a form or card, or to give replies verbally to a series of questions, it is considered undesirable to require all persons arriving at or leaving the Saorstát to have to submit themselves to statistical interrogation. Notwithstanding the desirability of having accurate and complete statistics showing the extent and nature of the inward and outward passenger movement, care must be taken not to impose any vexatious or irritating requirements on tourists and other persons visiting the country.
Statistics have for some years past been compiled and published regularly in the Statistical Abstract (see 1935 edition, table 23, page 15) from returns showing passenger movements inwards and outwards by sea distinguishing:
(a) Countries out of Europe and not within the Mediterranean Sea.
(b) Other countries, excluding Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and
(c) Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The collection of statistics of the inward and outward movement of the population over the Northern land border, which has been under consideration for some time, presents some difficulty. Returns are being received each month showing the net inward and outward movement by rail as ascertained from the numbers of passengers purchasing single tickets as distinct from return tickets, but a system for obtaining returns for movements by road has not yet been organised.
Is not a knowledge of the volume of our emigration to Great Britain a matter of vital importance to this country in view of the possible implications of Government policy?