HC Deb 16 November 1931 vol 259 cc480-2
16 and 17. Lieut-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) what was the expenditure incurred in connection with and the number of the staff employed by the League of Nations in the years 1926–26 and 1930–31, respectively;

(2) what countries belonging to the League of Nations are in arrears with the payment of their portion of the ex- penses of the League; what is the total amount of the arrears in each case; and if he will state how the deficiency has been made good?

Mr. EDEN

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir F. HALL

Can the hon. Member reply to the last part of question 17?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that the financial situation has been met from time to time out of the surplus funds of the League. The total amount in

— 1925. 1930.
Numbers of Staff. Gold France. Numbers of Staff. Gold Francs.
Secretariat and special organisations … 498 6,586,060 666 8,886,667
International Labour Office … 353 4,680,295 399 5,702,420
Permanent Court of Arbitration … 25 373,244 32 415,038
Totals … 876 11,639,599 1,097 15,004,125

According to the latest information the contributions unpaid in respect of the years 1920 to 1930 inclusive were as follows:

Gold Francs.
Argentine 1,527,848.67
Bolivia 785,675.67
Chile 16,150.94
China 9,227,795.88
Cuba 36,286.80
Dominican Republic 3,771.07
Guatemala 53,326.79
Honduras 233,048.39
Liberia 3,732.88
Nicaragua 233,760.70
Paraguay 81,720.69
Peru 1,936,115.89
Salvador 46,449.14
Uruguay 78,924.02
14,264,607.53

The countries in question have not been relieved of their obligation, and the matter receives the constant attention of the Secretary-General.

The deficiency has been made good from time to time out of the surplus funds of the League.

arrear from all the countries concerned who are in arrear amounts approximately to £500,000 at par.

Sir F. HALL

Do these defalcations affect their voting power?

Mr. EDEN

I do not think so.

Sir F. HALL

Does it mean that whether they pay or not they have the same power of voting?

Following is the answer:

The following figures have been taken from the Budgets of the League for the years 1925 and 1930: