§ 86. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the statement made in the Report from the Select Committee on Estimates in connection with the Ministry of Labour to the effect that Great Britain's share of the cost of the International Labour Organisation at Geneva amounts to 9.41 per cent. of the total, although this country has only one vote out of 54; and whether he will consider the possibility of arranging either for a reduction of our contributions or for an increase in our representation?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe proportion of the British contribution to the expenses of the International Labour Office follows the general basis fixed for the League of Nations, and is as stated in the question. The league basis was settled unanimously by the assembly in 1923, with the concurrence of the British delegation. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Everton (Colonel Woodcock) on 1st April. I should add that any change in the British representation would involve an amendment of the Treaty of Versailles.