§ 1. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if all the contributions due from members of the League of Nations have been received at Geneva; and, if not, will he state the amount of any outstandings; what nations are responsible for any unpaid balance of expenditure; what percentage of the total amount is paid by Great Britain; and is the total amount of our assessment paid to date?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Austen Chamberlain)The position in regard to unpaid contributions to the funds of the League of Nations on 31st August, 1925, the date of the last report by the Secretary-General to the Assembly of the League, was as follows:
180 The countries responsible for these unpaid contributions were: Bolivia, China, Guatemala, Honduras, Liberia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Rumania, Salvador. South Africa was at the date in question responsible for a postponed payment which has now been paid. The percentage of the total amount of the League budget payable by Great Britain for 1926 is 11.2 per cent. The sum due from Great Britain is paid in quarterly instalments, which have been paid up to date.
Gold francs. 1920 29,947,47 1921 425,351,93 1922 405,746,00 Adjusted arrears account. 287,598,33 1923 2,553,363,29 1924 2,069,089,89 Total 5,771,096,91
§ Colonel DAYWhat is being done in regard to these unpaid contributions? Is there any hope of collection?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINIt is not the business of this Government to collect these arrears. I believe reminders are sent out not infrequently by the Secretariat to the countries concerned.
§ Commander BELLAIRSDo the figures given by the right hon. Gentleman include the cost of the International Labour Office?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs there anything in the Constitution by which States that are in arrears for a certain period do not take their seats?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI do not think there is; but the Constitution is open to the hon. and gallant Member to see.