Walter Edward Harris (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration)
Liberal
Hon. W. E. Harris (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration):
Yesterday the hon. member for Peterborough West (Mr. Fraser) inquired about the staff of the immigration office at Hong Kong. Up until September of 1949 we had only one officer there. We added one in that month. We added two in 1950. We added four clerks in 1950. Therefore we think the facilities are now reasonably adequate. The number of immigration visas granted in 1949 was 986, and we granted 2,068 during 1950.
I gathered from the tenor of the hon. member's preceding questions that he was more concerned about Canadians than immigrants. I want to assure him that the immigration staff is there for the assistance of Canadians as well, and we do assist in identifying them and getting their passage if they seek to come home.
Subtopic: POSITION OF CANADIAN CITIZENS-IMMIGRATION STAFF