51. Major LOWTHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the United Kingdom's share of expenditure for the expenses of the League of Nations is to be increased from 4.84 per cent, to 9.55 per cent.?
§ Mr. FISHERThe increased contribution which this country is to make towards the expenses of the League of Nations results from the adoption by the Second Assembly of a revised basis for the allocation of the League's expenses, but the new scale will not become operative until the necessary amendment to Article VI of the Covenant has been I ratified by at least 26 members of the 23 League, including the members of the Council, and it is to be reconsidered by the Assembly of 1923.
Major LOWTHERDoes that mean that other nations may put up the percentage of our contribution just as they will to any figure, without our having the opportunity of voting against it?
§ Mr. FISHERNo, that is not a fact.
Sir J. D. REESIs not the increase in the British contribution due really to the fact that other nations do not pay their subscriptions?
§ Mr. FISHERNo, it is due to the fact that the original arrangement was found to be very anomalous. It had, for instance, the anomaly of requiring contributions from Australia, Canada and South Africa on the same basis as the contributions required from Great Britain and the other great Powers, and it was consequently violently objected to by our own Dominions, and it was very largely owing to their pressure that the new basis was adopted.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHow many nations have paid nothing at all?
§ Mr. FISHERThat was answered earlier in the Session.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYHas the Irish Free State yet offered to make any contribution?