§ Colonel YATEasked whether the revenue and military contributions of the Eastern Crown Colonies in 1909 were, if stated in pounds sterling approximately as follows: —Hong Kong: Revenue, £673,000; military contribution, £121,000; Straits Settlements: Revenue, £871,000; military contribution, £158,000; Ceylon: Revenue, £2,544,000; military contribution, £86,000; whether, owing to the present regulations governing the military contributions of these Crown Colonies, while the revenue of Ceylon was nearly three times that of the Straits Settlements, the military contribution of the former was only little more than half that of the latter; whether, while the lesser Crown Colonies pay a contribution of 20 per cent. of their revenue, minus certain deductions, the contribution of Ceylon only actually amounts to about 4 per cent. of the revenue, less sanctioned deductions; and, whether, if Ceylon contributed in the same proportion as the other Crown Colonies, her defence contribution would not be nearly £400,000 per annum more than at present?
Mr. HARCOURTIn the case of Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements the sterling equivalents of the sums which I mentioned in my reply to the hon. Gentleman's question on the 24th April are approximately: —Hong Kong: Revenue, £611,000; contribution, £106,000; Straits Settlements: Revenue, £1,020,000; contribution, £184,597. The figure which I gave far the Ceylon contribution was an estimate. I now learn that the proper amount payable in respect of the financial year 1909–10 is £101,858. The sterling equivalent of the revenue for 1909 was approximately £2,544,000. These figures will enable the hon. Gentleman to see approximately what the Ceylon contribution would be if that Colony paid the same percentage of its revenue as the other Eastern Colonies. It would be enormously greater than the actual total cost of the garrison—whereas the contributions of the other Eastern Colonies on the higher percentage do not cover the cost of the garrisons.
§ Colonel YATEasked whether, in view of the flourishing financial condition of Ceylon, the advantage the Crown Colony has long enjoyed in comparison with the other Eastern dependencies in the matter of expenditure on. armaments, and the protection which it obtains from the armaments of other Crown Colonies and of India, he will consider the advisability of revising the regulations which govern the contribution of Ceylon, in the interests, as regards future defensive requirements of the Eastern dependencies generally, and of their large sea-borne trade; and whether, if due regard be paid to the strategical position and other qualifications of Ceylon as a central naval base, this could be effected without detriment to the prosperity and further development of the Crown Colony itself?
Mr. HARCOURTNo, Sir. His Majesty's Government are not prepared at present to consider any radical change in the system of Military Contributions by the Eastern Colonies which was arrived at some fifteen years ago by an inter-Departmental Conference, after prolonged and exhaustive inquiry; though correspondence is now proceeding between the Colonial and the War Offices as to the exact interpretation of the arrangement come to with the Government of Ceylon as a result of the recommendations of the Conference.
§ Colonel YATEIs that confined to Military contribution, and is there any consideration of the question of Naval contribution?
§ Colonel YATEThe question of Naval contribution has not yet been entered into.