§ 13. Mr. DAYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount contributed separately by Hong Kong, Federated Malay States, and New Zealand towards the expenditure incurred with reference to the proposed naval base at Singapore; and whether any compensation has to be paid by the Government for the non-fulfilment of any contracts entered into by any previous Governments?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Ammon)The amounts contributed to date by Hong Kong, the Federated Malay States and New Zealand towards the expenditure incurred on the base at Singapore are £250,000, £1,200,000 and £250,000 respectively. Of this total of £1,700,000, £1,294,000 has been appropriated by the Admiralty in relief of expenditure falling on Navy Votes; the balance of £406,000 has been credited to Army and Air Votes in relief of expenditure falling on those Votes. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on the 20th November (OFFICIAL REPORT, column 463) to the hon. Members for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) and Kingston-upon-Thames (Sir G. Penny).
§ Mr. DAYHas the hon. Member now ascertained that there is no break clause in any of the contracts made by the British Government?
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTMay I ask whether, in view of the answer which he has now given, it may be taken for granted that His Majesty's Government will see that these moneys are returned to the Dominions and Colonies who advanced them under false pretences. [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"]
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt rests with the hon. Member as to whether he will give an answer or not.