§ * MR. BARLOW (Somersetshire, Frome)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 1314 War, whether any other colonies than that of New South Wales, and, if so, which have asked for a commission on money expended by them at the request and on account of the British War Office, and whether such commission is to be paid to all the colonies who have made disbursements, or only to New South Wales; and can he state what precedent there is for the payment of such a commission to New South Wales.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Colony of New South Wales was the only colony which raised the question, but the commission will be granted to all the colonies who made such disbursements, and their Governments have been so notified. The commission was recently given to the Government of Tasmania. As regards precedent, 3 per cent. is the rate of commission allowed on all payments of Army pensions made by Colonial Governments on behalf of the Imperial Government.