§ 12. Captain WEDGWOOD BENNasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any subsidies are at present being paid to rulers in Arabia; if so, to whom and on what terms?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo subsidies are being paid from Imperial funds to rulers in Arabia.
§ Captain BENNIs there not an item in the Colonial Office Vote for £20,000?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt is not a subsidy. As I explained in an answer last week, it was put in in case other money becomes payable in connection with the settlement between two conflicting claims in the Southern part of the Red Sea.
§ Captain BENNIt is, in fact, put in for the purpose of subsidising somebody?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORENo, that is not the case. I think I may say that it is very improbable that the amount will be expended.