11. Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with regard to the new building at Geneva which it is proposed to erect for the League of Nations at a cost of over £500,000, in view of the difficult financial conditions now prevailing, the British representative at the next session of the League will be instructed to recommend that the expenditure of this large sum should he postponed?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. At the last Assembly a cheaper scheme than that originally approved was adopted with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government. The scheme is now being put into execution, and I do not think that circumstances have so altered since March last that His Majesty's Government would he justified in asking for postponement, or successful in obtaining it.
Sir F. HALLMay I ask whether the cost is to be divided pro rata amongst all the members of the League of Nations?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir. It is partly met out of the accumulated funds of the League, and the balance is to be divided pro rata amongst the various nations.
Sir F. HALLSupposing, as has been the case in the past with regard to the 2083 expenses of the League of Nations, some members do not pay their proportion, shall we have to find the balance?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is rather a hypothetical question.
§ Sir HARRY BRITTA1NMay I ask what is to be the sum?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot answer that question without notice, bus it anybody has seen the hall in which we have to meet—anybody who has been a member of the delegation—will know that the accommodation is inadequate and ill-suited to the purpose.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the- right hon. Gentleman aware that even the larger sum of £500,000 is only one quarter of the cost of one of our light cruisers?
§ Sir A. CHAMBERLAINI cannot see what relevancy that has.