HC Deb 31 March 1930 vol 237 c873
19. Captain MACDONALD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the contributions of members of the League of Nations towards the expenditure of the League and how the British contribution compares with that of all other countries?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

The contributions payable by States members of the League of Nations for 1930 will amount to 27,100,000 gold francs. The contribution payable by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain will amount to 2,901,000 gold francs, equivalent to £115,500 approximately, or 10.65 per cent. of the total. Of this amount £79,000 will be provided in the League of Nations Vote, and £36,500 in the Ministry of Labour Vote in respect of the International Labour Organisation.

Captain MACDONALD

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why the British Government contribution is so much greater than that of any other nation?

Mr. CECIL WILSON

Is it correct to say that proportionately to its naval and military expenditure the contribution of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is smaller than that of any other European State?

Mr. HENDERSON

The proportions, I understand, were worked out by a special Committee some time ago, and our proportion was allocated, and there has been no change since that time.