§ 60. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Minister of Labour how many nations share the cost of the International Labour Organisation at Geneva; what is the total cost; what proportion of that amount is paid by Great Britain; and what have been the economies effected during the present year?
§ Mr. BETTERTONFifty-six nations share the cost of the International Labour Organisation. Excluding a temporary credit for work in connection with Russian and Armenian refugees, the cost of the Organisation for 1925 is estimated at 7,087,595 Swiss francs (approximately £283,504). The proportion of the expenses payable by Great Britain in 1925 is 9.41 per cent. The economies which have been aimed at during 1925 affect the budget for 1926 which has not yet been passed by the Assembly of the League. In its present form the budget figure comparable to that which I have given for 1925 is 1524 7,085,220 Swiss francs (approximately £283,409), but the cost to the members of the League will be further reduced by 274,782 Swiss francs (approximately £10,991), the amount which Germany—a member of the Organisation, but not of the League—will contribute to the expenses in 1926.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHave they all paid their annual subscriptions up to date?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI could not answer that question without notice. I think they have, with the exception of Germany, but I am not quite sure.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it the case that you do not ask those who are not employed to contribute to the Organisation?
§ Colonel WOODCOCKMay we know if the budget which has been prepared for the League for next year makes provision for the five nations that have not paid anything for two or three years?