§ 21. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an international labour palace is being erected at Geneva to house the International Labour Bureau of the League of Nations; whether the estimated cost of this building is £120,000; and what proportion of this cost is being borne by Great Britain and by other Powers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Miss Bondfield)I have been asked to reply. Owing to the expiration in June, 1925, of the lease of the premises of the International Labour Office, Geneva, and to the unsuitability of the present accommodation, the 1922 Assembly of the League authorised the erection of a new building estimated to cost 3,000,000 Swiss francs, on a more convenient site presented to the League by the Swiss Confederation. Arrangements were made to spread the incidence of expenditure over 27 a period of not less than five years, as from 1925, so that the total contribution to be attributable to States members for the new building would not exceed 600,000 francs per annum. Of this sum, the portion borne by Great Britain is approximately one-tenth, or £2,400 per annum. May I also add that the description in the question of the building is slightly misleading to those who know what the object of the building is? I should be very happy to show my hon. Friend a copy of the plan showing the plain, unpretentious building it is proposed to put up.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the £120,000 correct or not?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhat is the amount annually paid for the building which is now being utilised?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI must, I think, have notice of that question.