§ Question proposed, "That this be the First Schedule to the Bill."
§ Mr. BUCHANANI would like to ask a question on this Schedule. I wish to know how the share which is payable by His Majesty's Government has been arrived at. I sec that His Majesty's Government pay 5/18ths of the cost, and Canada pays the same, while Australia pays 6/18ths. I should have thought that Great Britain would have been the largest contributor, but Australia seems to be the biggest.
§ Mr. AMERYThese proportions were the outcome of negotiations between the different Governments as far back as the late '90's. I think each of the Australian States took a share, and the view then was that the interest of Australia and New Zealand in the cable was in some ways the largest. On that basis, the different Governments agreed to bear their share of the possible losses or to divide the profits. The British Government of 1985 the day was willing to enter into the arrangement to the extent of 5/18ths, and that has remained until now.